The exit of former Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal from the Congress made its presence felt in the party's rally in Pathankot today addressed by former party chief Rahul Gandhi.
Punjab Congress leaders in their speeches at the rally organised as part of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra made references to Badal's exit, voicing their angst at imports in the party getting prominence and then leaving it high and dry.
Badal recently joined the BJP at a time the yatra was moving through Punjab. He was absent in the yatra, giving rise to speculation about his future plans.
Former PCC chief and CLP leader Pratap Singh Bajwa, as he addressed the rally, did not mince any words, saying that Badal always had khaki knickers underneath his trousers. His reference was to Badal's political origins. Badal, a cousin of Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal, was in that party before he parted ways and joined the Congress.
PCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the party has to be wary of opportunistic leaders who come from other parties. "Even when we buy an animal, we do a thorough check on it," he said.
Former deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said the party should not bring in the wrong kind of people as it hurts the sentiments of the Congress workers when they try to destroy the party. He said only those leaders who are preferred by the workers should be promoted.
Meanwhile, Bajwa hyped up the 'Rahul for PM in 2024' line, saying he has to become prime minister in 2024 and the people of Punjab will ensure that it happens. "Rahul ji, you have to be the PM candidate. There should be no proxy. Proxy rule has damaged us," he said.
