Chaos at Congress Rally in Malout Sparks Disciplinary Action, Factional Rifts Exposed
In the aftermath of a disruption during the Congress party's 'Samvidhan Bachao Rally' in Malout on May 23, the District Congress Committee (DCC) has issued show-cause notices to municipal councillor Ashwani Khera and his cousin Jugraj Khera, directing them to respond within three days. Disciplinary action has also been recommended against Advocate Jaspal Singh Aulakh, a delegate of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), in connection with the incident.
The commotion, reportedly over access to the stage before the arrival of PCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and party co-in-charge Ravindra Dalvi, was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, drawing public attention and internal criticism.
According to the notices issued by DCC president Shubhdeep Singh Bittu, the three individuals defied directives from the PCC, disrupted the rally, and damaged the party's public image. The DCC has referred Aulakh’s case to the Congress high command, while Ashwani and Jugraj have been given three days to explain their actions, failing which strict disciplinary measures will be enforced.
In his defense, Advocate Aulakh denied any wrongdoing. Speaking over the phone, he stated, “I have already given my statement to a two-member committee. I was invited to the stage by our constituency in-charge, Rupinder Kaur Ruby. But some individuals standing at the stage area pushed me and others away. That’s all that happened.”
Aulakh suggested that the situation was exacerbated by individuals from outside the party. “Those who came from other parties don’t understand Congress discipline and culture,” he said.
Meanwhile, internal discontent within the party has also surfaced. Several Congress workers expressed frustration over the absence of Rupinder Kaur Ruby’s photo on the main stage hoarding, alleging it sparked anger among her supporters. The incident is now being seen as symptomatic of an ongoing factional tussle within the Malout Assembly segment.
PCC chief Raja Warring, who addressed the rally later that day, was visibly concerned by the disruption. In his speech, he repeatedly urged party workers to maintain discipline, warning that such incidents could overshadow the party’s larger objectives and hurt its chances of regaining power in Punjab in the 2027 elections.
The controversy has highlighted not only the growing internal rift within the local Congress unit but also the challenge the party faces in presenting a united front as it gears up for future elections.
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