Ashu & 2 Others Resign as Congress Loses Ludhiana West By-poll
The Indian National Congress (Congress) suffered a significant setback in Punjab as it lost the Ludhiana West by-poll. The party’s candidate, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is also the Working President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), took responsibility for the loss and resigned from his post. Two other prominent leaders, MLA Pargat Singh and former MLA Kushaldeep Singh (Kikki Dhillon), who are Vice Presidents of the PPCC, also resigned in solidarity with Ashu.
The by-poll was held on October 30, 2022, and the results were declared on November 2, 2022. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate, Hardeep Singh Dingri, won the election by a margin of over 12,000 votes. The Congress had been banking on winning the by-poll to boost its morale and challenge the ruling AAP government in Punjab. However, the party’s defeat has dealt a significant blow to its prestige and has raised questions about its organizational structure and leadership.
Ashu, who was the Congress candidate in the by-poll, took responsibility for the loss and resigned from his post as the Working President of the PPCC. In a statement, he said that he was willing to take the responsibility for the party’s defeat and was resigning to make way for new leadership. Ashu has been a prominent leader in the Punjab Congress and has been involved in various party activities. His resignation is seen as a significant development, especially considering his involvement in the party’s campaign for the by-poll.
Pargat Singh and Kikki Dhillon, who are Vice Presidents of the PPCC, also resigned in solidarity with Ashu. The two leaders have been close associates of Ashu and had worked together during the campaign for the by-poll. Their resignation is seen as a sign of solidarity with Ashu and a commitment to the party’s ideals.
The resignation of the three leaders has sent shockwaves through the Congress ranks in Punjab. The party’s state president, Navjot Sidhu, has accepted the resignations and has called for a meeting of the PPCC to discuss the future course of action. The meeting is expected to take place soon and will discuss the party’s strategy and plans for the future.
The defeat of the Congress in the Ludhiana West by-poll is a significant setback for the party, which had been trying to regain its lost ground in Punjab. The party had been struggling to maintain its presence in the state since the 2017 Assembly elections, when it suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance.
The resignation of the three leaders is seen as a sign of introspection and a willingness to take responsibility for the party’s mistakes. The Congress has been plagued by internal squabbles and leadership issues, which have affected its performance in the state. The resignation of Ashu, Pargat Singh, and Kikki Dhillon is seen as a step towards addressing these issues and strengthening the party’s organization.
The developments in Punjab have significant implications for the Congress at the national level. The party has been struggling to regain its lost ground and has been trying to present a united front. The resignation of the three leaders is seen as a sign of internal conflict and a lack of cohesion within the party.
In conclusion, the resignation of Ashu, Pargat Singh, and Kikki Dhillon is a significant development in Punjab politics. The three leaders have taken responsibility for the Congress’s loss in the Ludhiana West by-poll and have resigned in solidarity with each other. The resignation is seen as a sign of introspection and a willingness to take responsibility for the party’s mistakes. However, it also raises questions about the party’s leadership and organizational structure, which need to be addressed to strengthen the party’s position in the state.
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