Congress workers come to blows at Anandpur Sahib meeting

Deepkamal Kaur

Balachaur (Nawanshahr), Jan 25

Congress workers came to blows during an open discussion organised by the party for the Anandpur Sahib parliamentary seat here on Thursday. The discussion got disrupted at least five times as workers kept on raising their pitch owing to groupism within almost all Assembly segments of the constituency.

PPCC president Warring, Bajwa, Channi give event a miss

The workers had to be pulled back even as they refused to settle during the nearly two-hour meeting held in the presence of in-charge, Punjab affairs, Devendra Yadav and MP Manish Tewari. PPCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and LoP Partap Bajwa did not turn up at the event.

How situation took ugly turn

• Former Youth Congress chief Amarpreet Lally asked Danewal Khurd village sarpanch to leave the venue, alleging that he had now been working for AAP
• He said he had his photos with Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Rouri to prove his point
• The sarpanch and his supporters sought time to make their point, but senior Congress leader Capt Sandeep Sandhu refused to hear them out
• Following this, party supporters exchanged blows with one another

Leaders ‘annoyed’

Almost all Assembly halqa in-charges walked back, reportedly annoyed with Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha MP Manish Tewari, saying that they were not given a chance to speak up their mind and instead, rival groups and dissidents from all nine segments were given ample opportunity at the meeting.

The arguments started as Garhshankar leader and former Youth Congress chief Amarpreet Lally, who was sitting on the stage, asked sarpanch from Danewal Khurd village to leave the venue, alleging that he had now been working for the Aam Aadmi Party. He said he had his photographs with Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Rouri to prove his point.

The sarpanch and his supporters began insisting that they be given time to make their point, to which they faced refusal from senior Congress leader Capt Sandeep Sandhu, who was moderating the discussions.

Following this, workers from Nangal areas exchanged blows with one another as one worker charged former Speaker Rana Kaypee (seated on the stage) of having colluded with the BJP earlier.

Almost all Assembly halqa in-charges walked back reportedly annoyed with MP Manish Tewari, saying that they were not given a chance to speak and instead rival groups and dissidents from all nine segments got ample opportunity to speak.

Even as ex-CM Charanjit Channi, who had contested from Chamkaur Sahib, did not turn up, his expelled PA was given a chance to make a speech for his constituency.

Former minister Balbir Sidhu also was visibly disturbed as a worker from his rival group was handed over the mike to pour his heart out.

Garhshankar leader Lally is already upset as he has been alleging that Love Kumar Goldy, whom the party had expelled, was being taken out for distribution of MPLADS cheques in villages.

Former MLA Angad Saini too remained miffed as from the stage, Tewari showed his closeness with his rival from Nawanshahr Satvir Palli Jhikki. Former PYC chief and Ropar-based Brinder Dhillon seemed to be just one of Tewari’s supporters.

A Congress leader said 17 out of 18 block presidents had written to the PPCC recently, seeking a change of candidate from the seat. Amid reports that Tewari could move to Chandigarh, there have been several names doing the rounds for the seat, including Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh, Balbir Sidhu, Angad Saini and Brinder Dhillon. Tewari and Yadav said there were minor issues among the workers which would be soon settled.