As Punjab braces for the imminent Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party is finding itself entangled in a web of internal conflicts stretching across various constituencies. Recent developments have added Bathinda to the roster of regions marred by dissent, further complicating the grand old party’s electoral calculus. The nomination of candidates has become a focal point of contention, with grievances surfacing in Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala, Jalandhar, and other areas, posing significant challenges to the party's unity and electoral prospects ahead of June 1 polls.
In Bathinda, discord has erupted within the district unit of the Congress over the selection of Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu as the Lok Sabha candidate. Jeet Mohinder, a recent entrant to the party, has drawn ire from the local party workers who perceive his candidacy as a snub to longstanding loyalists. The decision to elevate a turncoat over grassroots contributors has ignited debates about party principles and the equitable recognition of the party workers’ efforts.
Jeet Mohinder, who returned to the Congress fold just six months ago, has ignited a storm of opposition from the party workers, adding to the mounting challenges faced by the party across various constituencies in Punjab.
Expressing their disapproval, Congress’ Bathinda unit president Khushbaz Singh Jattana on Thursday voiced concerns during a meeting, highlighting the resentment among the party members regarding Jeet Mohinder’s selection as party candidate. Jattana underscored the dissatisfaction among party loyalists, particularly towards the preference given to a turncoat over long-standing party supporters. Many within the party believed that Amrita Warring, the wife of Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, would have been a more suitable candidate.
While Raja Warring and the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa have already announced that none of their family member would contest the elections to focus on their organizational responsibilities, the decision to nominate Jeet Mohinder has sparked a wave of discontent among grassroots workers. Party stalwarts argued that the elevation of newcomers over seasoned party veterans undermined the dedication and contribution of long-serving members.
Jeet Mohinder’s political trajectory, marked by shifts between different parties, has also fueled skepticism among party members. Despite contesting on various party tickets in the past, his recent return to the Congress has triggered apprehensions about his commitment and loyalty to the party’s principles.
The development comes days after Jeet Mohinder had sought to downplay the dissent within the party ranks, emphasizing unity and cooperation among party members. However, his reassurances have done little to assuage the mounting concerns within the Bathinda Congress camp.
Jeet Mohinder, a son of former Punjab Public Service Commission chairman Bhupinder Singh Sidhu, began his political journey in 1997, contesting unsuccessfully from Talwandi Sabo assembly constituency on the SAD ticket. In 2002, he emerged victorious as an independent. Transitioning to the Congress in 2004 under Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh's leadership, he secured a win in 2007 and 2012 on Congress ticket. However, he switched allegiance to the SAD in 2014, facing consecutive defeats in 2017 and 2022. He rejoined the Congress in October last year.
The discord in Bathinda adds to the broader challenges faced by the Congress party in Punjab, where opposition to official candidates has surfaced in several constituencies. Congress has, as of now, announced the candidates for six constituencies only, while it is facing a massive challenge to decide on the names for the remaining seven seats.
With dissent simmering in Sangrur, Patiala, Jalandhar, and now Bathinda, the party's state unit president, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, has taken personal initiative to pacify disgruntled leaders and restore cohesion within the party ranks.
Earlier, similar tensions have unfolded in Sangrur, where the denial of a ticket to former MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy has sparked outcry among party members. After Warring, along with party candidate Sukhpal Singh Khaira and former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal personally reach out to Goldy, the former Dhuri MLA declared his full support to the party candidate.
Patiala, a longstanding bastion of the Congress, has also become embroiled in internal discord following the nomination of a turncoat Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, as the party's candidate. Traditional party leaders and workers, including former Minister Lal Singh, former MLA Hardyal Singh Kamboj, former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur, have voiced objections, advocating for the recognition of their steadfast commitment to the party's cause. The decision to overlook established party figures in favour of newcomers has fueled apprehensions about the party's electoral strategy and leadership decisions.
Meanwhile, in Jalandhar, the allocation of the party ticket to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has triggered tensions within the party ranks. The family of the late MP Santokh Chaudhary has expressed reservations, highlighting the complexities of candidate selection and the competing interests within the party.
In response to these challenges, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has embarked on a mission to mollify disgruntled leaders and foster unity within the party. Personal interventions and dialogues with key stakeholders aimed to address grievances and restore confidence in the party leadership. However, the road to reconciliation remains fraught with obstacles as the party grapples with internal divisions and external pressures.
