Ambika visit triggers factional intrigue

HOSHIARPUR:Factionalism in the district Congress has a unique habit of cropping its head the moment there is an election or when a prominent AICC leader visits the district. This time the bone of contention remains the proposed visit of AICC general secretary Ambika Soni for a district workers’ rally at Roshan Grounds on August 30.
The district Congress committee (DCC) has virtually ignored MP Charanjit Channi and certain ex- ministers, including Naresh Thakur, by not inviting them to the two meetings held to discuss preparedness for the function.
Political observers feel that factionalism will mar the spirit of the rally as the show could well end as "an act of sycophancy" on the part of the faction opposing Channi, rather than a programme to consolidate the party since the Lok Sabha elections are fast approaching.
But a certain section of political observers feel that the rally has been deliberately kept to sideline Channi and project Ambika Soni as the Lok Sabha candidate from Hoshiarpur.
Sources claim that the faction backed by health minister Romesh Chander Dogra and DCC president Kuldip Nanda is keen to see the back of Channi as a result of which they have been urging Ambika Soni to contest the elections.
Interestingly, Channi, at a rally of sarpanches of the Hoshiarpur assembly segment on August 3, had openly conveyed his support for Ambika Soni if she decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Hoshiarpur. Charnjit Channi added that he would support Ambika fully. He said that Ambika need not even come to Hoshiarpur during the elections, as he would make all efforts to ensure her victory.
Charanjit added that his detractors were weakening the Congress in the district and that was "not a good sign."
Congress is already on a loose wicket in the district as it lost in five of the eight constituencies during last years’ assembly elections. Channi added that he had not been invited for any meeting and there was no indication from the PPCC also for his participation in the meeting. "Unity within the Congress was a must to ensure success in the Lok Sabha elections," stressed Channi.