The feuding factions of the Punjab Congress put up a united show during the first state outing of newly appointed party affairs in-charge Sachin Pilot on Tuesday, as the party turned up the heat on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the alleged suicide of a Dalit man in Sangrur after his public confrontation with finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Later, several Congress leaders, including Pilot, Warring and Bajwa, and workers were detained by police and later released. “Pilot ji, wherever you see, there are only Congress workers here. For this, I congratulate you. We will fight together, we will die for the people of Punjab, we will move forward for the people of Punjab, we will get justice for Punjab. Addressing protesters outside the Punjab Congress headquarters here ahead of the march, Pilot lashed out at the AAP government over the alleged suicide incident. Warring and other leaders lashed out at the AAP government, saying it has “proved to be the worst ever in the state. Brahm Mohindra, Vijay Inder Singla, Rana KP Singh, Dr Amar Singh, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Rana Gurjit Singh, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Dr Raj Kumar Verka, Sukhvinder Danny, Sangat Singh Gilzian, Kuljit Singh Nagra and other leaders took part in the charge.
Assuring Pilot of their complete support, Congress leaders said their first and foremost aim was to ensure the party wins the 2027 assembly elections and the leadership issue would be decided later by the high command.
Channi also referred to the appointment of Pilot as “a new hope”. We will send Kejriwal and company out of Punjab,” he said as he targeted the AAP government and chief minister Bhagwant Mann over various issues. He said the Dalit villager had raised the issue of the drug menace, but he was “subjected to so much pressure that he had to take his own life. The Congress leader said the suicide was reflective of what was happening in Punjab, much against the claims made by the AAP. Later, Pilot told reporters that the Congress is fighting for the people of Punjab, and its leaders and workers are committed to a better future for the state. The entire Congress will fight unitedly, he said in response to a question. Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu said it was surprising that Congress leaders who used to call themselves “sailors” and dream of becoming chief minister had completely sunk the Congress ship. He said that a ‘Pilot’ had now been sent to save the sinking ship.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Congress’ Punjab affairs in-charge Sachin Pilot over his visit to the state, claiming he was sent to save the party’s “sinking ship.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said that when they visit villages, people would tell them they want the Congress to win, but only when its leaders come together. “See, all are together today,” he said, while pointing towards all state leaders sharing the stage during the protest.
