Malerkotla: A minor scuffle and high drama unfolded during the Congress party’s Har Booth, Congress Mazboot programme in Malerkotla on Saturday after organisers allegedly prevented former MLA Jassi Khangura from sharing the dais with senior leaders, prompting Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring to step off the stage and sit among party workers.The disruption occurred during the rally organised under the leadership of District Congress president Nishat Akhtar. Party sources said a section of local leaders and workers opposed Khangura’s presence on the stage, alleging he had earlier made derogatory remarks against the district president’s family.As tempers flared, workers from rival factions engaged in pushing and shoving, forcing police personnel to intervene. In an attempt to calm the situation, Warring stepped down from the dais and sat on the floor among party workers for the remainder of the event, although Khangura had by then taken a seat on the stage.Despite the disruption, AICC general secretary and Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel focused his speech on attacking the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP. Claiming that people across Punjab were disillusioned with the AAP government, Baghel said the Congress was witnessing strong public support during his tour of 18 districts and was poised for a comeback in the next assembly elections.He also praised Malerkotla’s historic legacy, recalling the Nawab’s opposition to the execution of Guru Gobind Singh’s younger Sahibzadas in 1705. Marking the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Baghel urged Congress workers to remain united and election-ready.Targeting the BJP-led Centre, he alleged misuse of central agencies against opposition leaders and accused the party of trying to weaken regional political forces.Addressing the gathering, Warring questioned the AAP government’s claim that sand mining would generate Rs 30,000 crore in revenue, saying the state had earned only around Rs 300 crore. He promised that a Congress government would free the sector from the grip of the mining mafia and also introduce police reforms aimed at ensuring accountability and preventing false cases.Later, Warring told reporters that party workers involved in disruptions at a recent Congress event in Sangrur had been identified and would face disciplinary action.
