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Indian Express
5 days ago
- 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.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress strategises Mohali under Raja Warring's leadership, slams AAP for broken promises
1 2 Mohali: Under the guidance of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, a key meeting of Congress workers and leaders from the Mohali constituency was held to chalk out strategies for strengthening the party at the grassroots level. The meeting was chaired by constituency coordinator Gurkeemat Singh Sidhu and held under the leadership of former cabinet minister Balbir Singh Sidh on Thursday. All mandal presidents, booth-level committee office-bearers, representatives of the Block Congress Mohali, and the Women Congress participated in the meeting. The focus remained on reinvigorating the party structure through increased outreach, especially among women, youth, and other key segments of society. Addressing the gathering, Gurkeemat Singh Sidhu emphasised the need for regular engagement with the public. "Booth and mandal-level committees are already functional under the leadership of Shri Balbir Singh Sidhu, but we now need to intensify efforts. Weekly meetings must be held to communicate the Congress Party's policies and expose the failures of the current AAP government," he said, sharing detailed plans for energising booth-level operations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tickets for Blackpink's Singapore shows in November will cost between S$168 and S$428 CNA Read More Undo Former minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, in a sharp critique of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accused the Bhagwant Mann-led government of betraying public trust. "The people who voted for AAP with hope have been left disappointed. No woman has received the promised Rs 1,000 monthly support, VIP culture continues unchecked, industries are leaving Punjab, jobs remain elusive, and essential schemes like the Atta-Dal subsidy are on the verge of collapse," he said. Sidhu also hit out at the state government for its alleged alignment with the BJP, calling it a betrayal of Punjab's farmers. "Even government employees are protesting on the streets, but the Mann government is busy saving face. People are counting days until the next Vidhan Sabha elections to sweep AAP out of power," he added. Other speakers at the meeting included senior deputy mayor Amrik Singh Somal, councillor Navjot Singh Bachhal, Bhagat Singh Namdhari (Mauli Baidwan), Labourfed Meet chairman Contractor Mohan Singh Bathlana, City Congress Committee Mohali president Jaspreet Singh Gill, Hardayal Chand Badbar, Ranjit Singh Gill (Jagatpura), and Mohan Singh, former sarpanch and leader of the Safai Mazdoor Union.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Once in power, will set up judicial commission to probe false cases, police misuse: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring
Ludhiana: Taking a stringent stand against the misuse of the police and their "willingness to oblige their political bosses and victimise innocent people by registering false cases, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday said once the Congress forms the govt in the state, it would set up a judicial commission to probe such cases. Addressing the 'Save Constitution' meeting in the Dakha assembly segment, on the city outskirts, Warring alleged that there was complete abuse of the Constitution in Punjab, with a section of police betraying their uniform. The meet was organised by Congress leader Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu. Calling for tough and stringent measures to fix responsibility for false cases, Warring suggested that any official who was found to have registered a false case should not only be dismissed from the service but should also be made to spend the same period of time in jail as the innocent victim of the false FIR. Alleging that Punjab had turned into a police state, he referred to the killing of one person in police custody recently. He said there was no accountability and called for this practice to stop. The Ludhiana MP said Punjab needed serious police reforms to prevent the misuse of power. The Congress leader also took a dig at the Punjab govt's campaign against drugs – Yudh Nashya Virudh. Referring to the claims by the AAP govt that it registered 8,500 cases, he asked: "Do drugs finish with mere registration of FIRs or demolishing houses of people?" "Drugs are still being frequently peddled and people are still dying from drug overdose," he said, while referring to the complete failure of the govt in curbing drugs in the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Warring also re-inducted the suspended Phillaur Congress MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhry into the party. The PPCC chief said Chaudhry was "dyed in wool third generation Congressman". He said the party would be strengthened with his return. Former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and former MLAs Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Lakhwinder Lakha, Kudleep Singh Vaid, and Sukhpal Bhullar were also present.
