Internal rift in the Punjab Congress seems to erupt yet again after party MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa countered state unit chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring‘s ‘One Family, One Ticket’ policy ahead of the next year’s Assembly elections. Randhawa said that those in a family who can win could get up to four tickets, contrary to Warring’s stance on allotting poll tickets.
Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) from Gurdaspur constituency, made the remark during an event organised in the memory of Karnail Singh Isru, who was martyred during the Goa Liberation Movement on August 15, 1955.
Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi had also attended the event, however, Ludhiana MP Warring was not present.
Not Only Two But Even Four Tickets, Says Randhawa
In his address, Randhawa said, “Some say I will not give two tickets (to a family). But those (in a family) who have the capability to win will not only get two but four tickets and ensure Congress’ victory.” Punjab Assembly elections are due early next year.
What Warring Said on Allotting Poll Tickets
Earlier this month, Warring had said that one ticket will be given to a family for contesting the elections.
“Big leaders say I will contest from here and my son will contest from there. If Raja Warring stays, one family will get only one ticket, not two. Rahul Gandhi will give tickets, and I will only recommend,” Warring had said.
Randhawa Oppose Warring’s Ticket Policy
Randhawa’s remark is being seen as a counter to Warring, who has been advocating the ‘one family-one ticket’ policy.
On Saturday, Warring shared an old video clip of Rahul Gandhi on his Facebook page, in which the former Congress president could be heard saying, “One person per family should get a ticket.”
“I will always follow my leader and stand by him,” Warring said. At Isru, Randhawa also said that no party can come to power by ignoring its workers.
“We have nurtured the Congress with our blood and sweat. If the Congress is standing strong in the state today, it is because of the contribution of every worker, not any one individual.”
He said as a member of the Congress Working Committee, he and Channi share the responsibility of strengthening the party in Punjab.
Randhawa also said that the Channi-led Congress government’s 111-day tenure in Punjab was equivalent to 11 years of work.
With inputs From PTI