Ludhiana, July 10: Amid ongoing discussions regarding leadership within the Punjab Congress, senior leader and former chairman Krishna Kumar Baba emphasized that the final decisions rest with the high command. He urged all leaders and workers to respect these decisions. Baba advised former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding to focus on strengthening the party rather than competing against each other.
In a media interaction, Baba stated that the party leadership is responsible for making decisions regarding any position, and public statements on such matters are inappropriate. He noted that Bhupesh Baghel has listened to all leaders and gathered their opinions. Any changes must be decided by the Congress high command, and no Punjab Congress leader should interfere or make statements on this issue. Raja Wadding was entrusted with his responsibilities after a lengthy consultation process involving all leaders, making it inappropriate to repeatedly question that decision. He reiterated that everyone must accept the high command’s decisions.
Baba described Congress as a democratic party where decisions are made through democratic processes. Legislators express their views, and senior leadership listens before making decisions. When assigning responsibilities, aspects such as work ethic, sacrifice, seniority, capability, patriotism, and ideology should be considered. Deviating from these principles can lead to setbacks.
Rejecting any notion of conflict between Channi and Raja Wadding, Baba appealed for both leaders to work together. He stated that it should not be a Channi versus Raja scenario. For them, all are equal. He suggested that both leaders should collaborate like the Congress’s traditional election symbol of “two bullocks” to secure victory for the party and hand Punjab over to Rahul Gandhi. This embodies the Congress ideology. If they regard Rahul Gandhi as their leader, there should be no reason for disputes. Whatever decision Rahul Gandhi makes must be accepted by all.
Addressing the issue of factionalism within Congress, Baba dismissed such claims as media fabrications. He stated that the term “factionalism” is detrimental. Factionalism occurs when a party divides into multiple factions, which is not the case in Congress. Their leader is Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge is their national president. Thus, the question of factionalism does not arise. Channi has also affirmed his support for Rahul Gandhi and his commitment to abide by his decisions, making the idea of factionalism baseless. This narrative has been perpetuated by the media.
Baba also criticized the Punjab government‘s handling of law and order, stating that the primary duty of the government is to ensure the safety of its citizens. He expressed concerns about the current law and order situation in Punjab, citing incidents like bomb blasts in Moga. The government must take serious action to protect people’s lives and property. He raised questions about the economic assistance promised to women and the implementation of government schemes, asserting that pre-election promises have not been fully realized, and the public should not be misled.
Critiquing both central and state governments, Baba urged them to seriously consider Punjab’s future and current conditions. He emphasized that every word from the Chief Minister carries weight, and they must fulfill their responsibilities. He highlighted the developmental projects achieved during Congress’s tenure, including agricultural universities, the Bhakra Dam, PGI, and AIIMS, which have significantly contributed to establishing peace in Punjab. The public should recognize which government has delivered on its promises. Punjab requires serious and responsible leadership to navigate its current challenges, and both the central and state governments must act in the state’s best interest.
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