Hours after AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, ruled out any change in the party's leadership in the state, former Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu hosted a high-profile dinner for the visiting Congress leader at the Sector 78 residence of his brother and former Mohali Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu on Wednesday evening.
Besides Baghel, the closed-door gathering was attended by former Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana K. P. Singh, a sitting MP, a sitting MLA, four former MLAs, and a PPCC General Secretary.
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring arrived at the venue last, around 9.50 pm. Speaking to mediapersons, Warring asserted that the Congress party remained united in Punjab.
"Within the next three to four days, the people of Punjab will witness a new political atmosphere in the state. If any party leader or worker is upset with me, I will resolve all differences, and the party will remain united to contest the upcoming Assembly elections," he said.
Senior Congress leaders entered the venue with smiles but declined to disclose the purpose of the meeting. Host Balbir Sidhu also remained tight-lipped, describing it only as a "private meeting".
Senior PPCC leaders had started arriving at the venue since the evening but maintained a studied silence over the agenda, particularly at a time when the state Congress leadership is widely perceived to be engaged in an internal power struggle.
Former Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly and Former Punjab Cabinet Minister Rana K. P. Singh, Fatehgarh Sahib MP Dr Amar Singh, former MLA Nabha Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Mahinder Singh Rinwa, former MLA Hans Raj Josan, former Zira MLA Kulbir Singh Zira, Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary and Captain Sandeep Sandhu, General Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), among others, attended the dinner.
Over the past two years, the Sidhu brothers have grown increasingly close to Warring. The PPCC chief has frequently visited Mohali to attend rallies organised by them. On one such occasion, Warring had publicly told Congress workers that the Sidhu brothers would lead the party's campaign in Mohali in the next Assembly elections.
Political observers believe the dinner diplomacy has strengthened Warring's position within the party, coming just hours after his "gudda-guddi ka khel" remark triggered political discussion.