Chandigarh: Newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh on Sunday began his tenure by visiting Gurcharan Kaur, wife of late former PM Manmohan Singh, saying he sought her blessings for his new role and describing the economist as a “source of inspiration”.But even as Pargat sought to start on a positive note, infighting in the party continued. Two days after Amrinder Singh Raja Warring was removed as Punjab Congress chief, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s son Rhythmjit Singh posted a cryptic meme on Facebook that appeared to take a dig at Warring and former Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel.The post appeared to be Rhythmjit’s interpretation of Baghel’s remark that replacing the Punjab Congress chief was not “gudda-guddi ka khel” (child’s play). The meme carried Channi’s photograph and the words: “Gudda Guddi; Oooooo yandeeeee (there go gudda guddi).”Channi’s camp had been among the most vocal in demanding Warring’s removal. Warring and his wife Amrita, meanwhile, met Baghel in Delhi on Sunday.Pargat posted photographs of his visit to Gurcharan Kaur on X, saying, “Dr Manmohan Singh ji remains a source of inspiration for us. His simplicity, integrity and dedication to the nation will always inspire us to serve Punjab and India. He will always remain one of our national heroes.”Talking to reporters, the Jalandhar Cantonment MLA described Manmohan Singh as “a stalwart of Punjabiyat and Sikhism” who took India forward globally on the economic front. He also praised him as “an embodiment of humanity and honesty” who strengthened institutions.Pargat also raised the issue of law and order in Punjab, citing the police as an example of what he described as a leadership vacuum. He said the police force itself should not be blamed, but alleged there was “neither political leadership nor police leadership”.“When that spirit dies, that is the situation we have in Punjab today,” he said.During the day, Pargat also met AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, senior Congress functionary Ambika Soni, party’s SC department chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam and AICC in-charge administration Gurdeep Singh Sappal.
