‘They are all chasing the CM’s chair’: Punjab BJP chief Kewal Dhillon accuses Congress of infighting after Warring’s resignation

NEW DELHI: Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Friday alleged infighting within the Congress following Amarinder Singh Raja Warring's resignation as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, accusing leaders in the opposition party of being focused on the chief minister's post."I have always said regarding the Congress that once they secure one person's resignation, they will go after another. There is infighting over the chair within their ranks. They are all merely chasing the Chief Minister's chair; they have no concern for Punjab," Dhillon said.Warring resigned as Punjab Congress president on Friday after heading the state unit for more than four years. He later met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and formally handed in his resignation.Dhillon questioned whether Warring's resignation would bring an end to the developments within the Congress."Do you think this will end with just one resignation? It is only going to escalate further," he said.BJP raises law and order issueDhillon also alleged that the law and order situation in Punjab was "dire" and raised the issue of crimes against Dalits."The situation in Punjab is dire. In the Chief Minister's own district, crimes against Dalits are occurring daily. Today, there is virtually no law and order left in the entire state of Punjab," he said.His remarks came as the Congress prepares to reorganise its Punjab unit ahead of the assembly polls due early next year. Warring's resignation followed longstanding differences within the state Congress.Warring says he conveyed his views to Rahul GandhiEarlier on Friday, Warring claimed that AICC Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot may have decided that it was time for him to be removed as state Congress chief.Speaking to ANI, Warring said he had already conveyed his views to Rahul Gandhi and acknowledged that he did not have concrete proof that Pilot had taken the decision."When he was appointed in charge, I went to formally congratulate him. I spoke with him for about 15 minutes that day. But I haven't met him since. Given my long journey in politics, I feel that Sachin Pilot must have decided it was time to remove 'Raja' from the post. I don't have concrete proof of this, but perhaps the General Secretary felt that Raja should be removed. Otherwise, there is no specific issue. I have conveyed what I had to say to Rahul Gandhi. There is no one left after Rahul Gandhi to whom I could explain what should or shouldn't happen," Warring said.Warring also said Gandhi showed him “a lot of love” during their meeting. According to PTI, he told Gandhi about the challenges facing the Congress in Punjab, its strengths and the political situation in the state."I met Rahul Gandhi and formally gave him my resignation," Warring told reporters after the meeting, according to PTI. He said Gandhi sought information about the political situation in Punjab, including what was happening with the government and what the Congress should be doing."He made me the state Congress chief, and I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to lead the state Congress in difficult circumstances. I assured him that I am ready to serve the party whenever the party requires me," Warring said.Warring had headed the Punjab Congress since 2022, when he succeeded Navjot Singh Sidhu. The party recently replaced Bhupesh Baghel as its AICC in-charge for Punjab and appointed Sachin Pilot in his place.Former state minister Vijay Inder Singla is among those being considered for the post of Punjab Congress chief and has emerged as a leading contender.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.