News Analysis India

Tag: Punjab Politics

  • Punjab CM responds to Guv Purohit’s Prez rule threat, cites silence of his counterparts in BJP-ruled states

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday alleged that Governor Banwarilal Purohit was threatening to impose President’s rule in the state, while his counterparts in Manipur and Haryana are observing silence on the law and order situation there.

    Purohit had on Friday warned the Mann government that he could recommend President’s rule in the state and also launch criminal proceedings if his letters are not answered.

    Purohit has been accusing Mann of not responding to the letters sent to him in defiance of his authority, whereas Mann has claimed he has replied to all but seven such missives he has received.

    “The threat which the governor gave to the people of Punjab, peace loving people of the state, I will call it a threat of imposition of the President’s rule. He said I will recommend Article 356 and will recommend Governor’s rule,” Mann said at a press conference.

    He said the Punjab Governor wrote 16 letters to him, nine of which have been responded to, and the rest are awaiting details.

    The governor should not be in a hurry to write a letter and expect an immediate reply, he said.

    Mann said that while his government had been taking proactive steps to tackle the scourge of drugs, confiscating, raiding properties of smugglers, and going after gangsters with the formation of an Anti-Gangster Task Force, the governor claims law and order in the state is not good.

    “I want to ask Governor Sahab, has the Haryana Governor issued any notice to Haryana Chief Minister Khattar regarding what happened in Nuh, communal clashes and violence which took place there and curfew that had to be imposed? Did the Haryana governor write any letter to Khattar? No, because their government is also ruling at the Centre,” he said.

    He said the Punjab governor was concerned about law and order in Punjab, but never gave a statement on Manipur which is racked with ethnic violence.

    “Is the Constitution not applicable in Manipur?” In Uttar Pradesh, a murder takes place in front of journalists, “but will the UP Governor dare issue any letter to Yogi Adityanath questioning law and order” asked the CM, apparently referring to the brazen gunning down of Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed in April this year.

    Most people would not know of their governors’ names, except those in Punjab, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, because they all are ruled by the non-BJP governments, Mann claimed.

    In his latest communication on Friday, the governor indicated he was upset over not getting any reply to his previous letters and told the Punjab chief minister that he could send a report to the President on the failure of constitutional mechanisms in the state.

    Purohit advised Mann to act before he takes his final decision under Article 356 of the Constitution and section 124 of the Indian Penal Code.

    A state is brought under direct rule of the Centre with the invocation of Article 356, usually after a report is sent by the governor. Section 124 of the IPC relates to assaulting or wrongfully restraining the President or a governor from exercising their lawful powers.

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday alleged that Governor Banwarilal Purohit was threatening to impose President’s rule in the state, while his counterparts in Manipur and Haryana are observing silence on the law and order situation there.

    Purohit had on Friday warned the Mann government that he could recommend President’s rule in the state and also launch criminal proceedings if his letters are not answered.

    Purohit has been accusing Mann of not responding to the letters sent to him in defiance of his authority, whereas Mann has claimed he has replied to all but seven such missives he has received.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    “The threat which the governor gave to the people of Punjab, peace loving people of the state, I will call it a threat of imposition of the President’s rule. He said I will recommend Article 356 and will recommend Governor’s rule,” Mann said at a press conference.

    He said the Punjab Governor wrote 16 letters to him, nine of which have been responded to, and the rest are awaiting details.

    The governor should not be in a hurry to write a letter and expect an immediate reply, he said.

    Mann said that while his government had been taking proactive steps to tackle the scourge of drugs, confiscating, raiding properties of smugglers, and going after gangsters with the formation of an Anti-Gangster Task Force, the governor claims law and order in the state is not good.

    “I want to ask Governor Sahab, has the Haryana Governor issued any notice to Haryana Chief Minister Khattar regarding what happened in Nuh, communal clashes and violence which took place there and curfew that had to be imposed? Did the Haryana governor write any letter to Khattar? No, because their government is also ruling at the Centre,” he said.

    He said the Punjab governor was concerned about law and order in Punjab, but never gave a statement on Manipur which is racked with ethnic violence.

    “Is the Constitution not applicable in Manipur?” In Uttar Pradesh, a murder takes place in front of journalists, “but will the UP Governor dare issue any letter to Yogi Adityanath questioning law and order” asked the CM, apparently referring to the brazen gunning down of Mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed in April this year.

    Most people would not know of their governors’ names, except those in Punjab, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, because they all are ruled by the non-BJP governments, Mann claimed.

    In his latest communication on Friday, the governor indicated he was upset over not getting any reply to his previous letters and told the Punjab chief minister that he could send a report to the President on the failure of constitutional mechanisms in the state.

    Purohit advised Mann to act before he takes his final decision under Article 356 of the Constitution and section 124 of the Indian Penal Code.

    A state is brought under direct rule of the Centre with the invocation of Article 356, usually after a report is sent by the governor. Section 124 of the IPC relates to assaulting or wrongfully restraining the President or a governor from exercising their lawful powers.

  • BJP to play big role in Punjab politics, will emerge as largest party in state in 2024 Lok Sabha polls: Amit Shah

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will play a big role in the politics of Punjab and will emerge as the largest party in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    He was addressing state BJP leaders, including core group members, office-bearers and district presidents.

    “BJP will play a big role in the state politics…Whosoever wants to join hands with us will have to be a small partner and we will also welcome those who want to come into the BJP fold,” he said.

    Shah also recalled the historic sacrifices of the people of Punjab for the protection of religion and rights of the people.

    “I want to assure the people of Punjab that the Centre and the country stand with every citizen of Punjab and this crisis situation in Punjab will not be allowed to worsen,” he said.

    Shah also hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and said that in just three months, its face of “deceit and deception has been exposed”.

    “One shudders to think what will it (AAP) do in five years,” he said as he was apparently hitting out at the AAP government over the law and order situation.

    Shah assured his party workers that the BJP will emerge as the largest political party during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as people are “dissatisfied” with the AAP and they are waiting to root them out in the next elections.

    Shah, while putting all political rumours to rest, said the BJP will contest elections on its own and whosoever wanted to join it will have to contest on its ‘lotus’ symbol.

    “We are here to win and bring prosperity to the state,” he said.

    Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma said the party is committed to safeguarding the interest of Punjab and will not allow anyone to disturb peace.

    Sharma said the BJP will contest the June 23 Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll in alliance with the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).

  • Channi, Sidhu take cold vibes to icy Kedarnath heights

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN:  Amid reports of widening rift between Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, the duo visited former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat in Dehradun on Tuesday. While official statements said the duo stopped at Rawat’s residence while travelling to Kedarnath shrine, party insiders said the visit was the result of party high command’s instruction to the duo to meet Rawat to resolve their differences. 

    A party insider from Uttarakhand told this newspaper that the rift is wide open for everyone to witness. “Sidhu and the CM can’t see each other eye to eye. They were instructed to meet Rawat ji and sort out their differences. Paying visit to Kedarnath shrine seems to be a viable distraction and an alibi.”

    The duo along with Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Chaudhary and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh are visiting Kedarnath shrine. Tough Congress leaders, including Sidhu, tried to portray that everything was fine, the photographs which surfaced after the meeting and from the shrine indicated that attempts to bridge the gap between Sidhu and the Punjab CM not working.

    Sidhu, after meeting Rawat, told media person that “there is no greater ‘dharm path’ than ‘kartavya path’. “Dharm is working for the welfare of the needy and giving people happiness. It’s the message Lord Shiva. We came here to seek blessings so that we could work the people of Punjab.”

    Meanwhile, Rawat said he felt happy to see that “all is well in Punjab”. Everything is working flawlessly and the Congress party is dealing with issues efficiently. I have full confidence in the likes of Harish Chaudhary. Working together in Punjab is taking us towards victory for the Congress.”

  • Speculation over Amarinder Singh’s next move, may launch party on Wednesday

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh may launch his new political party here on Wednesday, according to speculation triggered by the announcement of a press conference.

    Singh had last week said he would soon launch his own party, and that he was hopeful of a seat arrangement with the BJP provided the ongoing farmers’ stir against farm laws was resolved in their interest.

    The development comes just months ahead of the Punjab assembly elections.

    Singh, who faced an unceremonious exit from the state government last month, had also said that he was looking at alliances with like-minded parties such as breakaway Akali groups.

    The two-time chief minister had added that he would not rest till he secures the future of “my people and my state”.

    Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday, however, said if Amarinder Singh floated a new political outfit, he would be making a “big mistake”.

    Singh’s face in Punjab will be “scarred”, Randhawa said, and added that the Congress gave respect to Amarinder Singh and he enjoyed several posts in the party.

    Randhawa has been attacking Amarinder Singh over his friendship with Pakistani journalist Aroosa Alam.

    He even went to the extent of saying that a probe would be carried out to ascertain if Alam has links with Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

    Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, too attacked Amarinder Singh over the issue of his new political party.

    Amarinder Singh never came out of his farmhouse in the last four and a half years, and now, he suddenly talks about floating a party, she alleged.

    Navjot Kaur Sidhu further said Amarinder Sigh already had a party and he could have done some work in the last over four years.

    Singh had resigned as the Punjab chief minister last month amid a bitter power tussle with Punjab Congress chief Sidhu.

    After resigning, he had said that he felt “humiliated”.

    The Congress replaced Singh with Charanjit Singh Channi.

    Singh had also dubbed Sidhu “anti-national” and “dangerous”, saying he would pit a strong candidate against the state party chief in the upcoming assembly polls.

    Singh had last month met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and had discussed the prolonged farmers’ stir with him while urging him to resolve the crisis urgently with the repeal of the three farm laws.

  • AAP sees BJP hand in Amarinder Singh’s decision to float new political party

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The AAP alleged on Wednesday that former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has decided to float his own political party on the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    In a video message, the co-in charge of AAP’s political affairs in Punjab, Raghav Chadha, claimed that Singh’s move to form his own political party is part of the BJP’s agenda to stop the Arvind Kejriwal-led party from winning the Punjab Assembly election, which is due early next year.

    The AAP is the main opposition party in Punjab.

    “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making all possible efforts to stop the Aam Aadmi Party from winning the Punjab Assembly polls next year and forming its government in the state. Amarinder Singh is forming his own party on the instructions of Modiji,” Chadha alleged.

    He also accused Modi of “remote-controlling” the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Punjab unit of the Congress to ensure that the AAP does not win the upcoming state Assembly polls, claiming that there was a similar effort by the BJP during the 2017 Punjab election.

    “After he (Modi) understood that his three parties — BJP, Akali Dal and Congress — would not be able to stop the AAP from winning the 2022 Punjab Assembly election and forming its government, Modiji is fielding a fourth party through Amarinder Singh to join the fray,” Chadha claimed.

    He asserted that the AAP will form its government in Punjab next year, despite all efforts by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Modi.

    “Even after coming together, they will not be able to change the mood of the people of Punjab. The people are ready to give their mandate to AAP in the upcoming Assembly polls and make Punjab a prosperous state,” Chadha said.

    Days after resigning as the Punjab chief minister after a bitter feud with Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and infighting in the party’s state unit, Singh on Tuesday said he would soon float his own political party.

    He also said he is hopeful of a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP if the farmers’ issue is resolved in their interest.

  • Will stand by Rahul, Priyanka whether he holds any post or not, confirms Navjot Singh Sidhu 

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had abruptly resigned as the Punjab Congress chief, said on Saturday he would stand with Gandhi siblings Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi whether he holds any post or not.

    Upset with some appointments after Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi took charge, Sidhu had put in his papers and, though efforts were made to placate him, it remains unclear if his resignation has been accepted.

    “Will uphold principles of Gandhi Ji & Shastri Ji Post or No Post will stand by @RahulGandhi & @priyankagandhi ! Let all negative forces try to defeat me, but with every ounce of positive energy will make Punjab win, Punjabiyat (Universal Brotherhood) win & every Punjabi win !!,” Sidhu wrote on his Twitter handle on the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

    Will uphold principles of Gandhi Ji & Shastri Ji … Post or No Post will stand by @RahulGandhi & @priyankagandhi ! Let all negative forces try to defeat me, but with every ounce of positive energy will make Punjab win, Punjabiyat (Universal Brotherhood) win & every punjabi win !! pic.twitter.com/6r4pYte06E
    — Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) October 2, 2021
    The cricketer-turned-politician in his tweet also posted photos of the Mahatma Gandhi and Shastri.

    After a bitter fight between the then chief minister Amarinder Singh and Sidhu, the Congress took a call to replace Amarinder with Channi.

    However, Amarinder Singh vowed to defeat Sidhu if he contests the assembly elections, dubbed Gandhi siblings as “inexperienced” and later announced that he will leave the party.

    After Sidhu’s resignation plunged the party in a turmoil, Channi met him and it was agreed to set up a coordination panel of the party to take key decisions.

    Sidhu has been made part of the panel.

  • Have full faith in Navjot Singh Sidhu, says Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi

    By ANI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi On Tuesday said that he has full confidence and faith in Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as state Congress chief a few hours ago.

    “I have full confidence and faith in (Navjot Singh) Sidhu Sahab,” Channi said while addressing a press conference here today.

    ALSO READ | Navjot Singh Sidhu couldn’t stand a Dalit was made Punjab CM, alleges AAP

    Sidhu in his resignation letter to party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi said, “The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress.”

    Meanwhile, Channi, who addressed the media after Sidhu stepped down from his post said that he had “no information” over the matter.

    “It will be settled if he is upset…though he is not upset with me,” he said when asked if Sidhu is upset over bureaucratic setup and his commands not being followed after cabinet expansion in Punjab.

    Sidhu was appointed as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) on July 23 following months of turmoil in the state Congress unit.

    FULL STORY | Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns as Punjab Congress chief, ‘not a stable man’ says Capt Amarinder Singh

    His resignation comes just before former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s visit to the national capital after he resigned on September 18.

    Commenting over Amarinder Singh’s Delhi visit, Channi said: “Koi gal nahi,” Captain Sahab has been our CM, no problem… He must have gone there (Delhi) to discuss Punjab issues.”

    The tussle in Punjab Congress escalated in August, the party’s central leadership has sought to bury the hatchet by appointing Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Congress chief apparently against the desire of the Chief Minister.

  • Amarinder to join BJP? Former Punjab CM likely to meet Amit Shah during Delhi visit

    By IANS

    CHANDIGARH: Less than a fortnight after he was ‘unceremoniously’ asked to quit as the Punjab CM in the run-up to the Assembly polls, Congress veteran Amarinder Singh is likely to meet Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Delhi late Tuesday evening.

    The former CM is also likely to meet BJP president JP Nadda, sources said.

    However, Amarinder Singh’s media advisor denied his meeting with the BJP leaders, saying he’s on a personal visit to Delhi to meet some friends.

    “Too much being read into @capt_amarinder’s visit to Delhi. He’s on a personal visit, during which he’ll meet some friends and also vacate Kapurthala house for the new CM. No need for any unnecessary speculation,” Thukral informed in a tweet.

    The proposed meeting seems crucial as Amarinder Singh has been saying that he stepped down as he felt ‘humiliated.

    At the same time, he said the “future politics option is always there” and he will use that option.

    Speculations are rife that Amarinder Singh is likely to join the BJP.

    ALSO READ | Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns as Punjab Congress chief, ‘not a stable man’ says Capt Amarinder Singh

    After his resignation, Amarinder Singh said he had offered his resignation to party president Sonia Gandhi three weeks earlier but she had asked him to continue. “If she had just called me and asked me to step down, I would have,” he said, adding that “as a soldier, I know how to do my task and leave once I am called back”.

    He had said he had even told Sonia Gandhi that he was ready to hang his boots and allow someone else to take over as the Chief Minister after leading the Congress to another sweeping win in Punjab. “But that did not happen, so I will fight,” he asserted, taking strong exception to being subjected to humiliation by calling a Congress Legislative Party meeting in a secretive manner, without taking him into confidence.

    “I would not have taken MLAs on a flight to Goa or some place. That is not how I operate. I don’t do gimmicks, and the Gandhi siblings know that is not my way,” he had said, adding, “Priyanka and Rahul (Gandhi siblings) are like my children, this should not have ended like this. I am hurt.”

    He said the Gandhi children were quite inexperienced and their advisors were clearly misguiding them.

    Indicating that he was still keeping his political options open, the former Chief Minister had said he was talking to his friends before deciding on his future course of action.

    After his resignation and political tussle, Charanjit Singh Channi, a Scheduled Caste Sikh, took oath of office on September 20 along with his two deputies — one a Jat Sikh and another belonging to the Hindu community.

    Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and O.P. Soni, both ministers in previous Council of Ministers led by Amarinder Singh, took oath for the posts of the Deputy Chief Ministers.

  • BJP warming up to Amarinder Singh

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH:  A day after former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh chided the Gandhi siblings, Rahul and Priyanaka, for unseating him, the BJP seemed to be cosying up to the veteran Congress leader.

    With the political pot in poll-bound Punjab already boiling following his high-pitched spat with state Congress unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu, the BJP’s overture has added a new dimension to it. They have not only gone soft on him but are spinning him as a nationalist icon. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Thursday sought to slam Sidhu, saying Amarinder was axed as he was a hurdle in installing pro-Pakistan forces in power in Punjab. 

    The BJP, which had gone on the backfoot in the state after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) broke its two-decade old alliance with it last year citing the controversial farm sector reform laws, is now tempting Amarinder to jump ship so that the saffron party become a significant player in the state polls. As for Amarinder, he is keeping his options open. 

    The BJP wants to fight on all 117 seats in the state this time around. At present, it has only two MLAs in the Assembly. In the last Assembly elections, the BJP contested only 23 seats, as it was in alliance with SAD.

    Political analyst Prof Ashutosh of Panjab University said, “Amarinder has two options. Either he floats his own regional party like others did or join the BJP. The kind of political language he is speaking and idioms he is using of late are in consonance with the BJP line on national security and Pakistan bashing.’’

    Amarinder, even after demitting office, is clearly no pushover. With him holding his cards close to the chest, nothing can be definitively said as yet. To draw him, the BJP has to find a workaround for the three farm laws and also introduce a law guaranteeing minimum support prices for crops. The other option for Amarinder is to launch his own regional party with the tacit support of the BJP. 

    Farm package needed to draw Capt

    “It will be difficult for Amarinder to join the BJP until and unless it doles out some concessions to the agitating farmers, which are acceptable to them. Otherwise, he will form a regional outfit with disgruntled Congressmen,” said Ashutosh.

    With the political situation at present not so conducive for the BJP and the SAD and no other political party, including the Congress and AAP having a clear upper hand, a leader like Amarinder could play the role of kingmaker.

    “It is too early to predict if there will be a consolidation of SC votes cutting across religious and caste lines in the polls. There is also a distinct possibility of counter-mobilisation of the dominant Jat Sikh community. In case there is a hung Assembly, it is possible that the SAD and the BJP revive their old alliance to form the government if they have the numbers,” said Ashutosh.

    Meanwhile, in public rebuff to Amarinder, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said he should reconsider his remarks saying the Congress made him the CM for nine-and-a-half years. “Hatred, jealousy, and vendetta have no place in politics. If he wants to leave the party, then I have nothing to say on this,” she added.

    Soon after, Amarinder shot back: “Yes, there’s no space for anger in politics. But is there space for humiliation & insult in a grand old party like @INCIndia? If a senior party leader like me can be treated like this, I wonder what the workers must go through!”

  • BJP warming up to Amarinder Singh after Congress veteran hits out at Gandhis

    Express News Service

    CHANDIGARH:  A day after former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh chided the Gandhi siblings, Rahul and Priyanaka, for unseating him, the BJP seemed to be cosying up to the veteran Congress leader.

    With the political pot in poll-bound Punjab already boiling following his high-pitched spat with state Congress unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu, the BJP’s overture has added a new dimension to it. They have not only gone soft on him but are spinning him as a nationalist icon.

    Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Thursday sought to slam Sidhu, saying Amarinder was axed as he was a hurdle in installing pro-Pakistan forces in power in Punjab. 

    The BJP, which had gone on the backfoot in the state after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) broke its two-decade old alliance with it last year citing the controversial farm sector reform laws, is now tempting Amarinder to jump ship so that the saffron party become a significant player in the state polls.

    As for Amarinder, he is keeping his options open. 

    The BJP wants to fight on all 117 seats in the state this time around. At present, it has only two MLAs in the Assembly.

    In the last Assembly elections, the BJP contested only 23 seats, as it was in alliance with SAD.

    Political analyst Prof Ashutosh of Panjab University said, “Amarinder has two options. Either he floats his own regional party like others did or join the BJP. The kind of political language he is speaking and idioms he is using of late are in consonance with the BJP line on national security and Pakistan bashing.’’

    Amarinder, even after demitting office, is clearly no pushover. With him holding his cards close to the chest, nothing can be definitively said as yet.

    To draw him, the BJP has to find a workaround for the three farm laws and also introduce a law guaranteeing minimum support prices for crops.

    The other option for Amarinder is to launch his own regional party with the tacit support of the BJP. 

    Farm package needed to draw Captain

    “It will be difficult for Amarinder to join the BJP until and unless it doles out some concessions to the agitating farmers, which are acceptable to them. Otherwise, he will form a regional outfit with disgruntled Congressmen,” said Ashutosh.

    With the political situation at present not so conducive for the BJP and the SAD and no other political party, including the Congress and AAP having a clear upper hand, a leader like Amarinder could play the role of kingmaker.

    “It is too early to predict if there will be a consolidation of SC votes cutting across religious and caste lines in the polls. There is also a distinct possibility of counter-mobilisation of the dominant Jat Sikh community. In case there is a hung Assembly, it is possible that the SAD and the BJP revive their old alliance to form the government if they have the numbers,” said Ashutosh.

    Meanwhile, in public rebuff to Amarinder, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said he should reconsider his remarks saying the Congress made him the CM for nine-and-a-half years.

    “Hatred, jealousy, and vendetta have no place in politics. If he wants to leave the party, then I have nothing to say on this,” she added.

    Soon after, Amarinder shot back: “Yes, there’s no space for anger in politics. But is there space for humiliation & insult in a grand old party like @INCIndia? If a senior party leader like me can be treated like this, I wonder what the workers must go through!”