'Talk more in private, less in public': Congress to its leaders post Punjab crisis

In the midst of the Congress's ongoing issue in Punjab, Supriya Shrinate, the party's national spokeswoman, voiced the desire that its leaders "speak more in private and less in public." She hoped that veteran Congress politician and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh would reconsider his decision, calling him a "soldier" of the party. "Congressman Amarinder Singh is a well-liked figure. He's been a Congressman for a long time, and he's been the Chief Minister for nine years and nine months. He is well-liked. The sheer act of changing is a sign of life. Our elected MLAs believed that a leadership change in Punjab was necessary. Therefore that's what we accomplished," Shrinate said.

The Congress unit in Punjab is in disarray after Amarinder Singh was ousted as Chief Minister and its leader, Navjot Singh Sidhu, quit ahead of the assembly elections next year. On Thursday, Singh stated unequivocally that he was not joining the BJP. Rather, he had no intention of remaining in the Congress, which was in decline, with senior party officials being utterly ignored. Speaking to media here, Shrinate said that the Congress made "history" by electing Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab's first Dalit Chief Minister with the backing of MLAs, and he challenged. BJP, which has governments in 17 states, to "present one Dalit CM."

Also Read | Punjab, Rajasthan, Meghalaya... Congress facing existential crisis

Shrinate stated that Sidhu resigned as Punjab Congress head due to a disagreement, but that he is as valued a comrade as anybody else and that the party has entrusted him with a critical responsibility. "What occurs within our party is extremely public," she added, expressing optimism that everyone in the Punjab Congress and outside will be able to comprehend the logic behind the decisions made. I wish our leaders communicate less in public and more in private."

In response to a query on senior party leader Kapil Sibal voicing concerns about the Congress's functioning, the spokesman expressed hope that the issues made by him were not discussed on public forums.

Also Read | Captain Amarinder: Congress going downhill, senior leaders sidelined

In response to a query on a group of Congress MLAs believed to be close to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel camping in Delhi, the party Spokesperson claimed there is no "impending issue" in Chhattisgarh. "We have a well-run administration and well-intentioned citizens. Ours is a democratically elected party. A single tyrant does not govern us. We dissent, argue, dispute, and have internal rumblings as a democratic party, and we are quite open about it. Is it appropriate for our leaders to speak in public? Maybe a smidgeon less," she stated.

When asked if it was time for Congress to pick a non-Gandhi face, she said it was up to the party to determine its leader, and the party's rank and file believe their leader is either Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi.

Also Read | 'Told you, not a stable man': Amarinder Singh takes dig after Sidhu quits as Punjab Congress chief

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• Congress
• Punjab crisis
• Amarinder Singh
• Navjot Singh Sidhu
• Sonia Gandhi
• Rahul Gandhi