Latest news with #Channi-led
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab Cabinet withdraws consent for CISF deployment at dams given by Channi govt
The Punjab Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday withdrew the consent for the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the dams in the state given by the Congress government in 2021 and decided to bring a resolution in the Assembly session beginning July 10 against the deployment of the central force at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) dams. Addressing the media after the meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said, 'During its 111-day regime, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi-led Congress government in Punjab had on October 21, 2021, given its consent to the Centre for the CISF deployments at dams in the state. The Cabinet today approved the withdrawal of that consent with immediate effect. During the upcoming Assembly session, we will bring a special resolution that CISF will not be allowed.' In May, the Centre had sanctioned a contingent of 296 armed CISF personnel to provide a counter-terrorist security cover to the Nangal dam in Punjab amid the standoff between Punjab and Haryana over the sharing of water from the dam. By mid-May, the Centre ordered the deployment of the CISF at the Bhakra Dam, citing concerns over the security of critical infrastructure. The Centre had clarified that the move was not politically motivated but a response to security lapses, especially after BBMB engineers and senior officers complained of being unable to perform their duties under coercion from the state. Later, at a NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi, Mann opposed the Centre's move to deploy CISF. However, CISF personnel have yet to be deployed. Cheema said the Punjab Police is a capable force and it will continue to provide security at the dams. 'Shahpur Kandi dam is 5 km from the International Border (IB). The Punjab Police is manning it. Bhakra Dam is far away from the border. The Punjab Police is strong and competent. They have protected the country. We will not allow CISF to take over the security of the dams.' Cheema said the Punjab government would neither pay for their (CISF) deployment nor allow them to take over the dams.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana West assembly bypoll: Setback for Congress, internal strife fuels Ashu's defeat
Factionalism within the Congress seems to have played a big role in the defeat of Bharat Bhushan Ashu in the Ludhiana West assembly byelection. Despite an aggressive campaign, Ashu secured only 24,542 votes — a 27.22% share — down from 28.06% in the 2022 assembly elections, where he had garnered around 32,000 votes. This marks a noticeable erosion of the party's support in the region. (HT File) Despite an aggressive campaign, Ashu secured only 24,542 votes — a 27.22% share — down from 28.06% in the 2022 assembly elections, where he had garnered around 32,000 votes. This marks a noticeable erosion of the party's support in the region. The absence of key party leaders, including Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, from the campaign trail further compounded Ashu's loss. Both leaders were noticeably absent from crucial events, with Warring's exclusion being particularly significant. This internal division within the party appears to have severely hampered Ashu's chances of victory. While former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, along with senior leaders Rana Gurjeet Singh and Pargat Singh, took charge of the campaign, the exclusion of Warring and Bajwa left the party fractured. Their absence from key campaigning activities, including Ashu's roadshow, highlighted the ongoing rift within the state leadership and weakened the party's position in a highly competitive by-poll. Blow to Channi camp The loss is seen as a blow to the faction led by Channi, who had hoped a victory would help regain momentum and challenge Warring's leadership as the state Congress chief. Despite his efforts, Congress could not close the gap with AAP, which emerged victorious by a larger margin than in the 2022 elections. Implications for party leadership In the aftermath of the defeat, Ashu took moral responsibility and resigned from his post as Working President of PPCC. However, rival factions within Congress argue that the blame cannot be placed solely on Ashu's shoulders. They point out that the exclusion of senior leaders, particularly from the Hindu and Dalit communities, contributed to the party's failure to connect with its core voter base. 'There's no denying the deep divisions within the party. What's concerning is that the BJP is making inroads into our traditional Hindu vote bank,' said a senior Congress leader from the Hindu community. 'The overrepresentation of Jat Sikh leaders has created resentment, and this is benefiting the BJP. We need a Hindu face as the state Congress president to restore faith among our core supporters.' Rift likely to deepen The rift within the Congress is expected to widen in the coming days, with Raja Warring's faction preparing to escalate the issue of their exclusion from the campaign. People familiar with the matter said that Warring has already flagged this matter with the party high command. Meanwhile, the Channi-led faction is likely to push for greater influence within the PPCC and key positions ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections. AAP misused official machinery: Warring Reacting to the bypoll result, state Congress chief Raja Warring said there was nothing special about the ruling AAP winning the Ludhiana West byelection as it has used all the official machinery for the purpose. Talking to reporters, Warring said the party will do a serious introspection about the result. Earlier, in his message to the party workers, Warring said: 'I acknowledge and appreciate the Congress workers in Ludhiana West for putting up the best fight against all odds when it was against the entire government machinery'. Asserting that there was no big deal about the result, he said: 'This, after all, was just a byelection. Our fight will continue and we will take it to the logical conclusion in 2027.'
