Chandigarh, July 10: Amid discussions of alleged factionalism within the Punjab Congress and differences among senior leaders, state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding has dismissed any notion of conflict within the party. He clarified that former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is his senior leader, and he is continuously learning from him. Wadding also addressed his relationship with senior leader Sukjinder Singh Randhawa, stating that their bond is strong enough to resolve any misunderstandings through dialogue.
Wadding rejected the narrative of a ‘Channi vs. Wadding’ rivalry, asserting, “Channi Sahib is a prominent leader. I am still young. He is like an elder brother to me. While there may be attempts to create a divide, nothing of that sort exists. I am learning a lot from Channi Sahib, as well as from many other senior leaders in the party. The experience gained is irreplaceable. Therefore, there is no competition or conflict between Channi Sahib and me. I am not even at a level to compare myself with him.”
When questioned about not being included in a recent meeting, Wadding maintained a positive outlook. He acknowledged that during times of grievances, certain remarks may be made that cannot be retracted. He stated, “I believe it is better that I will not be present at the meeting. When there are grievances, many things are said face-to-face, and once spoken, words cannot be taken back. Whatever needs to be discussed will be heard first. In the next meeting, I will sit with everyone and present my views. If I have made a mistake, I will apologize to the senior leaders, many of whom I regard as father figures. If I am not at fault, I will clarify that there is no blame on my part. Sometimes, stories are created without reason.”
Regarding any differences with senior Congress leader Sukjinder Singh Randhawa, Wadding denied the existence of any permanent rift. He explained, “Both Randhawa and I were contenders when I was appointed as the president of Punjab Congress. After that, he was assigned to oversee Rajasthan, while I took on the responsibilities for Punjab. Our families have had relationships for the past 20-30 years. I visit his home, and he visits mine. I have invited him to events, and he has attended. I have yet to understand why there were no issues for four and a half years, but suddenly, after my name was announced again, something changed. Perhaps someone provided him with incorrect information or created a misunderstanding. Our relationship can never be broken. If there is any resentment on his part, it can be resolved through conversation.”
Wadding emphasized the familial nature of his relationship with Randhawa, stating, “My wife is like a sister to him, and his son feels like a nephew to our family. Our ties extend beyond politics; they are familial. I have seen that there were differences between Rana Gurjeet Singh and Sukjinder Singh Randhawa in the past, but over time, those issues were resolved. Therefore, I believe there is no dispute between us that cannot be settled.”
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