Baghel calls CLP meeting in Delhi ahead of Budget session

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary incharge for Punjab affairs Bhupesh Baghel has called a meeting of all party MLAs in New Delhi on Tuesday to prepare a strategy for the Budget session of the state Assembly beginning March 21.

The meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) will be held days after simmering differences among party leaders came to the fore at a meeting called by Baghel in a bid to put up a united front in the run-up to the 2027 Punjab Assembly poll.

According to Congress leaders privy to the development, Baghel — who is a former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister — would discuss the party’s floor strategy during the meeting on Tuesday.

Each of the party MLA will be tasked with raising a specific issue.

After state Congress chief Amrinder Raja warring and Sukhjinder Randhawa were elected to the Lok Sabha last year as MP, the party has 16 MLA in the Assembly besides two suspended legislators Vikram Chaudhary and Sandeep Jakhar.

“The MLAs will be asked to do their homework before speaking on issues and sustain attack on the treasury benches,” said a senior party leader.

A preliminary discussion on burning issues of the state ranging from crime and drug menace to unfulfilled poll promises had already been held with senior party leaders.

Baghel has already told the state party leaders to strongly take on AAP during the session.

He has also told Congress leaders not to go public with their differences and raise issues only at appropriate party forums.

He had asked party leaders at a meeting that he “meant business” and seeing his experience, he had been sent to Punjab “on a purpose” by the top Congress leadership.