Jakhar mocks Rahul Gandhi’s Barnala rally call for unity in Punjab Cong

Chandigarh: Following Rahul Gandhi's call for unity in the faction-ridden Punjab Congress at a rally in Barnala, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday mocked the Congress leadership, claiming the event was aimed at reprimanding the party's state leaders rather than addressing public issues.The remarks came in response to Gandhi's address at the Barnala rally, where he stressed the need for unity among Punjab Congress leaders and warned that factionalism within the party would not be tolerated.Referring to Gandhi's remark, "No matter how big you are, be a team player; otherwise, Kharge ji and I will set you right," Jakhar said the statement itself summed up the purpose of the rally.In a post on social media, Jakhar alleged that the Congress gathering had neither an agenda for Punjab nor any discussion on issues concerning farmers and labourers. Instead, he said, it appeared to be "a desperate attempt" by Gandhi, on behalf of the Congress high command, to publicly reprimand the party's divided state leadership and compel them to unite through what he described as a warning.He further claimed that, in doing so, Gandhi exposed the internal divisions within the Punjab Congress before the public and, at the same time, raised questions about his own leadership ability.Jakhar also targeted the Congress leadership at the Centre, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging that the high command failed to provide direction to the party in Punjab. MSID:: 128882387 413 |