Chandigarh: AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal has warned Punjab Congress functionaries that indiscipline and internal sabotage will not be tolerated, irrespective of the stature of the leader, as the party steps up preparations for the 2027 assembly elections.Venugopal on Monday held a series of meetings with MPs, MLAs, district presidents and other senior functionaries to review the party’s election preparations and arrangements for Rahul Gandhi’s Nov 4 rally in Sangrur. The meetings came amid efforts by the Congress high command to improve coordination within the state unit ahead of elections and following the change in its leadership.Addressing party functionaries, Venugopal urged leaders to work together to secure the party’s victory, said sources. Without naming anyone, he said those sitting on his left and right should start talking to each other and set aside their personal differences. His remarks appeared to be directed at former Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, who were involved in an intense turf war. Channi had led a camp seeking Warring’s removal, while Warring had subsequently remarked that he had lost to Channi after being replaced as state party chief.After the meeting, Warring responded by saying he had no grievances against anyone and described himself as a disciplined soldier of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. “I will always talk about the progress and well-being of the Congress,” he said. “Whatever may have happened to me personally, that is all in the past. The story has ended,” he added. Channi, too, said all leaders would remain united and campaign vigorously for the Congress.When asked about instructions given during the meetings, Venugopal told TOI, “There is no need to do so. We sat together and decided we will fight together. From tomorrow, all leaders will set aside their differences. Our only objective is to win Punjab,” he said, adding, “Our leaders are open-minded. Ours is a democratic party; there is no dictatorship in our party. Everyone has opinions, and there may be differences of opinion, but when it comes to elections, we have one decision. We want to fight together, we will fight together, and we will win together,” he added.Asked about the role Warring would play in the party’s election strategy, Venugopal replied, “All our senior leaders will get roles. Warring will have a big role, Channi ji will have a big role and Bajwa ji will also have a big role. We know how to tackle our leaders.”At the meeting, Venugopal said no Punjab Congress leader would be allowed to run an individual campaign ahead of the assembly polls, reiterating that the party would contest the elections under collective leadership.“After winning the election, one of you will become chief minister, some will become ministers, and some will become chairpersons of boards. These positions will emerge from among you. I or Sachin Pilot have no intention of taking any position here,” he said.Pilot, too, sought to reinforce the message of unity by recounting a lunch hosted by senior leader Partap Singh Bajwa at his residence. “I was driving, and Venugopal ji was sitting in the front. It was Pargat Singh ji’s car. Raja ji and Channi ji were sitting with us. Bajwa ji hosted the lunch,” Pilot said. “The entire Congress team is now working with full strength and unity to save Punjab. I am confident that, under Rahul ji’s aggressive leadership, we will be able to save Punjab,” he added.‘Make Rahul’s Sangrur rally a success’Venugopal asked state leaders to mobilise a large crowd for Rahul’s Nov 4 Sangrur rally being organised under the theme, “Hisab Maango”. Party leaders were initially asked to mobilise around one lakh people for the rally, but the target was subsequently reduced to 50,000 in view of the ongoing harvest season, according to sources.First list of 50 candidates soonCongress may announce its first list of around 50 candidates for the assembly elections any time, party sources said. The party’s internal survey and assessment have identified around 50 constituencies where only one contender is being considered for the ticket and there is no apparent dispute over candidature. During the meetings, ticket aspirants were told that winnability would be the main criterion for ticket distribution. A committee would be formed to finalise the names, the sources said.Cong scrutinising deleted votesVenugopal said the Congress had been monitoring the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Punjab for the past three months and was examining the issue of deleted votes individually. “We will fight for the people whose votes have been deleted and try to make the country aware of what is happening,” he said.Kharge’s remarks referred to RSSAmid the controversy over Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s “baap” remark, allegedly directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Venugopal told reporters that Kharge had referred to the PM’s ideological father, RSS.
