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Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Won't allow land ‘grab': Warring at protest against land pooling policy
The Congress would oppose the state government's land pooling policy with its all might, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said while addressing a gathering during a protest outside the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) office in Ludhiana on Saturday. Thousands of Congress workers participated in the massive protest in which former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, senior leader and MLA Pargat Singh and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu were conspicuous by their absence. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, along with other protesters, during a demonstration in Ludhiana on Monday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) Warring, who arrived on a tractor, accused the AAP government of trying to 'loot' farmers' land. Terming it a land 'looting' policy, Warring said the Congress would never allow the AAP-led government to go ahead with this move. He accused the state government of moving to acquire nearly 50,000 acres of farmland on Ludhiana's outskirts without the consent of or compensation to landowners. 'This is not land pooling. It's outright land snatching. They want to take away land worth ₹100 and return land worth only ₹25,' he said. Referring to the CM, he said, 'Mann should empathise with the concerns of those whose livelihoods depend on land.' The protesters, many of them carrying placards and raising slogans against the AAP government, also submitted a memorandum to the GLADA chief administrator, addressed to the chief minister, demanding immediate rollback of the notification related to the land pooling scheme. Warring compared the current movement to the historic farmers' protest against the central government's three farm laws. He recalled the land acquisition law passed by the UPA government under the prime ministership of Dr Manmohan Singh that mandated 'farmer's consent and fair compensation'. Former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi and MLA Pargat Singh were absent. Former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa took a dig at the absentees, asserting, 'Those who did not show up today have no love for the Congress party.' Ashu denied any knowledge of the protest. 'I did not receive any invitation or information about the protest. Those who were informed participated. I wasn't contacted by anyone,' said Ashu. Tensions between Warring and Ashu have been simmering since the by-election campaign. Warring's minimal participation during Ashu's campaign—restricted to only filing nomination papers—had drawn public criticism from Ashu. Ashu had previously stated, 'This was not my personal event that I had to extend personal invitations. I was the party's candidate. Those who joined the campaign didn't wait for invitations.' Following his defeat in the Ludhiana West by-election, Ashu resigned from his position as PPCC working president. SAD protest rescheduled for July 22 The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has postponed its planned protest in Ludhiana, which was to be held under the leadership of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, citing inclement weather conditions. The protest, initially scheduled for today, will now take place on July 22 outside the GLADA office. Party vice president Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said that due to heavy rains, the protest has been deferred in the interest of public safety and logistical concerns.
Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Neither ran a parallel campaign nor indulged in factionalism: Ashu after AICC accepts his resignation
A day after the Congress leadership accepted his resignation as the working president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Bharat Bhushan Ashu said he neither ran a parallel campaign nor indulged in factionalism. He, however, admitted 'a breakdown in coordination'. 'I take my share of responsibility for failing to bridge the divide.' In a statement, Ashu said, 'My resignation was an act of taking moral responsibility for the defeat, and not any admission of guilt. I will continue to serve the Congress, but my fight for truth will continue.' The recent rumblings in the Punjab Congress have occurred after its candidate, Ashu, lost the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll to the ruling AAP by over 10,000 votes. Throughout the campaign, the rift between Ashu and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring was visible to all. Ashu-led faction, including former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, MLAs Pargat Singh and Raja Gurjeet Singh, extensively campaigned for him but 'excluded' Warring, leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other supporters. While Warring maintained that Ashu never 'invited' or asked him to campaign, Ashu said, 'I never stopped anyone from campaigning.' Ashu also inducted two local leaders from other parties — Karan Warring and Kamaljit Karwal — into the Congress allegedly against Warring's wishes. He also did not attend the joint press conference addressed by AICC Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, Warring and Bajwa on June 16 to make a vote appeal for him, a day before campaigning ended on June 16. On the last day of campaigning, Warring and Bajwa also did not attend Ashu's roadshow. In a major blow to Ashu's camp, the AICC on Thursday accepted three resignations — Ashu's as PPCC working president, and Pargat Singh and Kushaldeep Singh Kikki Dhillon (both as PPCC vice-presidents), who had resigned taking 'moral responsibility' for the defeat. Pargat and Dhillon had resigned in solidarity with Ashu. Ashu posted on his Facebook page: 'Politics Demands Accountability — But Also Honesty. In public life, we are taught to own both success and failure with equal grace. I have always believed that if a resignation can help the Congress reflect, reset and reorganise, it should never be withheld. My resignation — now accepted by the high command — is an act of responsibility, not an admission of guilt. The Ludhiana West by-election result was disappointing. But reducing it to the actions of a few individuals is not only politically inaccurate, it is also internally damaging.' Claiming that he never indulged in any indiscipline, Ashu wrote, 'I neither ran a parallel campaign nor indulged in factionalism. Those who worked closely with me know the sincerity of my effort. Yes, there was a breakdown in coordination — and I accept my share of the responsibility for not being able to bridge that divide, despite trying.' Raising several questions on some of his party colleagues, he wrote further, 'This moment must not become one of blame, it must become one of course correction. We must ask: Why did the voter disengage? Why were proxies used to unsettle the campaign? Why did some treat this election as a platform to settle personal scores rather than serve the party?' Ashu, who spent over a year in jail after being arrested in an alleged corruption case after AAP came to power, wrote that even during his toughest legal battles, he 'stood alone but never against the party'. 'I have served the Congress with loyalty and conviction for over two decades — never seeking comfort, only duty. Even during the most difficult times, when I faced personal and legal battles, I stood firm, alone if needed, but never against the party. I paid the price for standing by the Congress when others benefited, and I did it with my head held high. And even now, I remain where I've always been: on the ground, with the people,' he wrote. The rift between Ashu and Warring deepened during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when the party chose Warring to contest the Ludhiana seat, sidelining Ashu, who had recently been released on bail from an alleged corruption case, which was later quashed by the High Court. Warring went on to win the election. 'Punjab needs a Congress that is united in spirit, clear in direction, and strong in purpose. I sincerely hope the coming days bring reflection, not retribution, and that justice within the party is guided by values, not convenience. The fight for truth, for workers, and Punjab continues — and I will remain part of it,' Ashu added.
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Three resignations, widening rift: Ludhiana West loss leaves Punjab Congress ‘vertically split'
Three resignations, no word from the high command, and simmering discontent have left the Punjab Congress facing what senior leaders call a 'vertical split,' days after its defeat in the Ludhiana West bypoll. Working president Bharat Bhushan Ashu, the Congress candidate who lost to AAP's Sanjeev Arora by over 10,000 votes, stepped down taking 'entire responsibility.' Soon after, MLAs Pargat Singh and Kushaldeep Singh Kikki Dhillon also resigned as PPCC vice-presidents in solidarity. 'Three of the eight PPCC executive members have resigned, including me,' Ashu told The Indian Express. 'I haven't asked if my resignation has been accepted. Bhupesh Baghel saab is yet to call a meeting.' PPCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said, 'The resignations haven't come to me. They must have gone to the AICC. I went to campaign wherever I was called. I continue to fulfil my duties as PPCC president.' AICC Punjab incharge Baghel, when contacted, said, 'I would not like to talk about Ludhiana bypoll results. It is our internal party matter.' Missing faces, visible cracks The internal fault lines between Warring and Ashu were visible throughout the campaign. Warring, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and several 'star campaigners' stayed away. Local Ludhiana leaders from Warring's camp were also absent. Many told The Indian Express they were never invited. 'We were signalled our participation wasn't required,' said a local leader. Among those missing were PPCC general secretary Captain Sandeep Sandhu, Ludhiana district urban president Sanjay Talwar, former MLAs Rakesh Pandey, Jassi Khangura, Surinder Dawar, ex-bureaucrat Kuldip Singh Vaid, former minister Malkit Singh Dakha, and Simarjeet and Balwinder Bains, who had supported Warring in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Star campaigners who skipped included Warring, Bajwa, Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and Baghel, barring Ashu's nomination and conclusion events. Former MP Manish Tewari's programme was 'cancelled.' Those who did campaign included Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh (bypoll incharge), Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Fatehgarh Sahib MP Dr Amar Singh, Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi. The Ashu-Warring rift began during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, when Warring — not a local face — was fielded from Ludhiana. Ashu, recently out on bail in a corruption case, was sidelined. A former MLA said, 'Ashu said he didn't need us. We were all in Ludhiana on the final day of campaigning, but no invites came. Instead, leaders from other districts led the show.' Randhawa confirmed, 'My name was on the list of star campaigners, but I never got a message. So I didn't go.' Former MLA Jassi Khangura said, 'Ashu never asked me. We even went with Warring to meet him after his candidature was announced, but he didn't meet us. He allowed his campaign to be hijacked by outsiders.' Ludhiana urban president Talwar, also absent, said, 'Each candidate has their own strategy. But this was a winnable seat, a Congress bastion, and we lost.' Khaira said, 'Bypolls are usually won by ruling parties. But the high command must urgently resolve the rift before it's too late.' Ashu maintained he never stopped anyone from campaigning. 'Everyone was welcome to campaign wherever they wanted. It was Warring's responsibility to come as state president,' he said. Congress vote share in Ludhiana West: A steady slide 2012: 62.81% 2017: 54.86% 2022: 28.06% 2025: 27.22%
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Faecal coliform in Puducherry's Thengaithittu, Kuruchikuppam beaches exceeds safe limits
Levels of faecal coliform at Thengaithittu, Kuruchikuppam and Kalapet beaches in Puducherry have been found to be 10 times more than the prescribed safe limit, according to the Annual Environment Survey report 2024, released by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (DSTE). The Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) said the water samples collected from Thengaithittu beach, Kuruchikuppam beach and Kalapet beach in January, July and October 2024 showed high levels of faecal coliform at 1600 MPN/100 ml, which is far exceeding the permissible limit of 100 MPN/100 ml. MPN is Most Probable Number, an estimation used to measure microorganisms in water. Kuruchikuppam beach recorded the highest level of faecal coliform at 1600 MPN/100 ml in January, followed by Thengaithittu beach and Kalapet beach with levels of 800 MPN/100 ml during the same period. PPCC said the water level in three beaches did not comply with the Central norms of Class SW-II water - 100 MPN/100 ml (for bathing, water sports and commercial fishing). PPCC attributed the high levels of contamination due to release of untreated sewage into the beaches. According to N. Ramesh, Member Secretary of PPCC, 'Four Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) with varying capacities will soon be installed to improve the water quality and bring down the levels of faecal coliform. The establishment of 15 MLD STP at Dubrayapet and 11 MLD STP at Karaikal is nearing completion. The PPCC has also readied an action plan for restoration of polluted river stretches in Puducherry and Karaikal while a 3 MLD STP with Faecal Sludge Treatment plant has been planned near the Sankaraparani river in Puducherry. The Biological Oxygen Demand at Chunnambar stood at 9.4 mg/litre, 7.2 mg/litre in Kanagan lake and 8.8 mg/litre in Arasalar lake as against the standard 3 mg/litre. PPCC said the primary reason for contamination is the unchecked flow of untreated sewage from residential areas, which continued to affect the waterbodies.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Amid talk of differences over Congress inductions, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring says no internal differences
Chandigarh: Putting to rest speculation about unrest over the party revoking the suspension of Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday said there were no internal differences, and everyone was welcome in the party. Dismissing reports of discord within party ranks over the entry of leaders from other parties, Warring said there was no dissent. "Every party aims to expand its base and strengthen itself. The more people who join, the better it is," he said, responding to the recent inductions. On the upcoming Ludhiana West byelection, the PPCC president claimed that the Congress was ahead of rivals and expressed confidence that the party would win by a record margin. Warring reiterated his opposition to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's land pooling policy, warning it would lead to the destruction of Punjab's agrarian economy. Interacting with media after a meeting of constituency coordinators at the PPCC headquarters in Chandigarh, Warring said the policy was aimed merely at collecting money. He warned against acquiring 24,000 acres of agricultural land saying that it would destabilise the state's agricultural economy and, by extension, affect every section of society. "Punjab's entire economy—trade and industry—depends on agriculture. When you undermine the base, the entire economic edifice collapses," he said. He also criticised the govt for not taking stakeholders into confidence. He questioned the very need for such a policy when there was no apparent demand for additional residential or industrial plots. "When there is already an abundance of residential plots, where is the need to create more?" he asked. Responding to remarks by BJP state president Sunil Jakhar and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, Warring quipped: "The two of them are enough to sink the BJP's boat, just as they sank the Congress boat a few years ago." Commenting on a village reportedly putting itself up for sale due to the govt's failure to curb drug peddling, Warring remarked: "There can be no bigger slap on the face of the Punjab govt—and no greater proof of defeat in the so-called 'Yudh'—than an entire village putting itself up for sale while drug peddlers are having a field day."
