Posters critical of Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel appeared across Muktsar on Monday, hours before a party programme scheduled in the hometown of Mr. Warring.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the posters, which surfaced in various parts of the town, bore slogans such as “Go Back Baghel,” depicting the AICC general secretary as “Simon,” and others demanding, “Remove Raja and Baghel, Save Congress.” Some posters also carried the message, “Listen, Rahul ji, bring back Channi to form the government,” referencing former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
The “Har Booth, Congress Mazboot” programme was slated to commence at 3 p.m. on Monday, with the attendance of Mr. Baghel, Mr. Warring, and other party functionaries. The appearance of these critical posters signals an internal rift within the state unit of the Congress party as it gears up for organizational events.
The identity of the individuals or groups responsible for placing the posters remains unknown. There has been no immediate official statement or response from the Congress leadership regarding the incident, which has cast a shadow over the party’s planned outreach program.
The Congress is currently undertaking a state-wide campaign, “Har Booth, Congress Mazboot,” aimed at strengthening the party’s presence at the booth level across Punjab. A similar programme was also scheduled to be held in Bathinda on the same day.
This incident is the latest in a series of visible manifestations of factionalism within the Punjab Congress. Previously, internal dissent and group rivalries had surfaced during party events held in other districts, including Sangrur, Patiala, Barnala, and Mansa, indicating ongoing challenges in party cohesion ahead of potential future political contests.
The “Har Booth, Congress Mazboot” initiative is intended to galvanize party workers and consolidate support bases in preparation for upcoming elections. However, the emergence of such posters suggests that internal disagreements and disgruntled elements within the party may pose a significant hurdle to these efforts.
The district of Muktsar, being the home turf of Mr. Warring, makes the appearance of these posters particularly noteworthy and indicative of potential internal opposition to his leadership or specific party strategies. The call to bring back Mr. Channi also points to a segment of the party cadre advocating for a change in leadership or direction.
Political observers note that such public displays of internal discord can impact voter perception and the party’s overall electoral prospects. The Congress leadership will likely face pressure to address these internal rifts and present a united front to the electorate.
The Chenab Times News Desk