Capt-Bajwa tussle eclipses Congress rally
Tuesday, 29/09/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Chhapaar (Ludhiana) : Factionalism overshadowed the Congress conference at Chhapaar today. PPCC chief Partap Bajwa and most of his supporters stayed away from the programme. Bajwa’s picture was even missing from the party banners at mela venue.
Bajwa said he was not invited. He refused to elaborate further on the issue. Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar said not much should be read into Bajwa’s absence. “He might be busy elsewhere,” he added.
Captain Amarinder Singh-Bajwa wrangling played itself out at Chhapaar even as none of the leaders was present. While Jakhar projected Captain as the party’s chief ministerial candidate, other speakers too showered praise on the veteran Congress leader.
Some of the speakers were reportedly heard using foul language for Bajwa. An observer at the rally commented: “The speakers at the Congress conference seemed keen to show their allegiance to Captain. They were less interested in playing the role of a responsible Opposition.”
Meanwhile, Jakhar flayed the Akali Dal-BJP government for raking up Panthic and river water issues prior to elections. He criticised the SAD for “interfering in religious issues”. He accused the Akali Dal of spreading rumours of Amarinder floating a new party.
Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the Akalis of playing petty politics at the cost of peace and harmony in the state. Bittu said party leaders and Youth Congress activists will lock the Agriculture Department and Deputy Commissioner’s offices in Bathinda on September 30 to register their protest on the pesticide issue.
To attract crowd, the Congress had invited a folk singer at its conference. However, despite the singer’s performance, many seats were vacant.
