‘RSS stooges move out’: Warring as Ashu supporters raise ‘Bhupesh Baghel go back’ slogans

Warring's Allegations Against Ashu Supporters

The recent Congress event in Ludhiana turned chaotic as supporters of former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu raised slogans against AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel. State party chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, in response, termed the protesters “RSS stooges”. This development is a continuation of the ongoing infighting within the Punjab Congress.

Warring's supporters raised slogans in his support, while Ashu's supporters shot back with “Baghel go back” and “Ashu zindabad” and “Channi zinadabad.” The situation escalated when Simarjit Singh Bains, a former MLA, allegedly made some objectionable gestures towards Ashu's supporters from the stage.

Warring, in his address, claimed that he had personally helped some of Ashu's supporters “when they were hounded by the state vigilance bureau” and now they are raising slogans. He also stated that Congress's programmes were being disrupted by those who were working for “BJP-backed RSS.”

The tension between Ashu and Warring has been brewing since 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Congress had given Warring ticket from Ludhiana, ignoring Ashu, a local face. Warring won defeating BJP's Ravneet Singh Bittu.

The Rift Within Punjab Congress

The Punjab Congress has been witnessing infighting after the high command announced to retain Warring as Punjab unit president. A faction in the party wants former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi as the state unit chief as well as CM face for the 2027 polls.

Tension between Ashu, a Channi supporter, and Warring has been brewing since 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Warring's supporters raised slogans in his support, while Ashu's supporters shot back with “Baghel go back” and “Ashu zindabad” and “Channi zinadabad.”

The Role of Bhupesh Baghel

Bhupesh Baghel, the AICC in-charge, made it clear “that indiscipline had no place in the party”. Those who had tried to disrupt the party programmes will be identified and action will be taken against them, he added.

Baghel pointed out, it was not anybody's personal programme but that of the Congress party and was being done on the instructions of the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

The Way Forward

Responding to the suggestion that he should fight against Sukhbir Badal, Warring said: “What is the point in fighting against someone who is already down and out. If you have to make me fight against anyone, then it should be (Punjab CM) Bhagwant Mann .”