Latest news with #Warring
Indian Express
5 hours 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.
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Why Modi government has failed to take swift action to bring back our missing citizens from Russia?": Congress
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Congress on Friday demanded government reveal data on the number of Indian citizens stranded in Russia amid conflict with Ukraine in the region. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring claimed that 126 Indian citizens, including young men from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, and Maharashtra, were 'trafficked into the Russian Army to fight the war'. He said, among them, 'at least 14 remain missing.' 'These men were tempted by agents who promised them employment in Singapore, Malaysia, or Italy, but instead sent them to Russia, where they were handed rifles to fight after 15 days of training, pushing them into a brutal conflict, despite a few of them having physical disabilities,' he said. Warring said that their families have only received assurances from the government of India, and 'they were forced to find out the truth by themselves'. 'The Indian Embassy officials in Moscow didn't help him at all, they refused to provide even the address of the Russian External Ministry office,' he said. Warring claimed that agents charged around Rs 35 lakh for sending people to their preferred countries, but 'instead pushed them into Russia's war'. 'Despite multiple appeals to the Ministry of External Affairs, no concrete help has been extended,' he said, adding it raises serious questions. The Punjab Congress president asked, 'why the Modi government has failed to take swift action to bring back our missing citizens. Why was Russia allowed to recruit Indian civilians in its Army without due permission?' he asked, adding, 'Why have families not received official updates?' The senior Congress leader demanded updated information from the MEA on the status of all missing Indians in Russia. He also demanded action against agents who have already been named by the victims' families. (ANI)
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress urges Centre to find out the status of Indians stranded in Russia
Questioning the Narendra Modi government's 'inability' to trace and bring back 14 Indians who were forcibly pushed into fighting for the Russian Army in its war against Ukraine, the Congress on Friday (June 27, 2025) urged the government to strongly take up their case with Russia. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said 126 Indian citizens from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir and Maharashtra were trafficked into the Russian Army to fight war. At least 14 remain missing in, he added. He claimed that these men were tempted by agents by promising employment in Singapore, Malaysia or Italy, but were instead sent to Russia. Addressed a press conference at the @INCIndia headquarters in New Delhi today and raised the plight of stranded youth from across the country who have been forced to fight the Russia-Ukraine War. We hope the @BJP4India government gives up its criminal & callous indifference… — Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) June 27, 2025 'They were handed rifles to fight after 15 days of training, pushing them into a brutal conflict, despite a few of them having physical disabilities,' Mr. Warring said. 'Why was Russia allowed to recruit Indian civilians in its Army without due permission,' the Punjab Congress chief asked, adding, 'why have their families not received official updates?' Mr. Warring addressed the press conference along with Jagdeep Kumar of Punjab, whose brother Mandeep has been missing for over a year. Khusboo Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, whose brother Joginder Yadav is untraceable since May last year, was also present. Mr. Kumar said he had even travelled to Russia to trace his brother but was unsuccessful. 'The Indian Embassy officials in Moscow didn't help him at all, they refused to provide even the address of the Russia's External Ministry office,' he said. 'Are we so helpless as a country to find our own? I appeal to the Prime Minister,' he added.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- 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%
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Warring still says no infighting, blames AAP-BJP collusion for loss
Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring dismissed talk of about rifts in the party's state unit and claimed that the party lost the Ludhiana West bypoll due to a covert understanding between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Warring said the two parties joined hands as both feared the growing influence of the Congress in Punjab and Gujarat. "Congress did not lose due to internal conflict; we lost because AAP and BJP collaborated against us," he said, suggesting that BJP transferred a significant portion of its vote share to the AAP candidate. He said the BJP, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, had secured 41% vote in Ludhiana West, but this dropped to 22% in the bypoll. "In contrast, AAP's share rose from 20% to 39%. The Congress vote share remained steady—28% in 2024 and 27% in the byelection," hje said. You Can Also Check: Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh Warring said BJP deliberately delayed the announcement of its candidate and did not campaign seriously. "Moreover, the close ties between a senior BJP leader from Punjab and a senior AAP leader are well known," he said, without naming anyone. He said BJP was backing AAP in Gujarat to weaken the Congress there. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Lexi Gaming Unleash Your Power. Dominate the Game. Lexi Gaming! Lexigaming Read More Referring to the Visavadar assembly constituency, he said BJP fielded a political newcomer against AAP, helping it capture the opposition space traditionally held by the Congress. Responding to reports of infighting, he said, "Let me reaffirm and reiterate that the Congress remains united. A difference of opinion does not mean division." He said senior leaders, including former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, campaigned tirelessly in Ludhiana West. Warring added he himself was present from the day of nominations but, as the party's state president, he had to fulfil other responsibilities assigned by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), such as conducting 'Save Constitution' meetings and engaging with grassroots workers. Alleging media bias, Warring questioned why similar scrutiny was not directed at AAP. "Why hasn't the media asked why chief minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal were absent in the crucial final days of campaigning or why they skipped the party's final roadshow?" he asked.
