'I'll Fight Bhagwant Mann': Raja Warring Signals High-Stakes Punjab Election Face-Off

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday declared that if he contests the Punjab Assembly elections due early next year, he would prefer to take on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directly, setting the stage for what could become one of the state's most closely watched political battles.

Addressing a Congress event in Faridkot, Warring dismissed a suggestion from a party leader that he should contest against Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal. He remarked that the Akali leader was already "lying low" and said that if the party leadership asks him to enter the electoral fray, he would rather face Mann.

"The party high command decides who contests and from where. But if it decides that I should contest, it should be against Bhagwant Mann," Warring said, adding confidently that the chief minister "will come to know" once they face each other.

Warring, who currently represents Ludhiana in Parliament and earlier served as the MLA from Gidderbaha, made the remarks at a time when the Punjab Congress continues to grapple with internal differences. A section of senior leaders, led by former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, has opposed the party high command's decision to retain Warring as the state unit chief, exposing factional tensions ahead of the assembly elections.

Later, while addressing the 'Har Booth, Congress Mazboot' programme in Moga, Warring sharpened his attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, urging voters to remove the Mann-led administration from power.

He accused the state government of presiding over a worsening law and order situation, alleging that gangster activity, drug abuse and lawlessness had reached alarming levels. Warring also criticised the government for the alleged misuse of police against peaceful protesters, including teachers, MGNREGA workers, sanitation workers, farmers and government employees.

His remarks are expected to intensify the political contest in Punjab as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the crucial assembly elections.