This was stated by the rival faction of the Punjab Agricultural University Teachers' Association (PAUTA) in a memorandum submitted to the executive a day ahead of the general house meeting.

The rival faction led by Dr K S Sangha of the Department of Forestry said, “We met Dr B S Sohal, vice-president, PAUTA, and submitted a memorandum which he has marked to general secretary Mukesh Siag. Signed by over 250 teachers, we have asked for the sorting out of the issue of PAUTA president first.”

He added, “The PAUTA executive has agreed to discuss the issue of presidentship as the first item on the agenda.” The other issues that the general house would be discussing tomorrow include PAU authorities’ attitude towards teachers, pay scales and PAUTA's court case regarding the bifurcation of PAU.

Elaborating, Dr Sangha said, “We do not want to confront the PAUTA in any way but want Dr M S Mahal and Dr B S Sohal to first clear the confusion over the issue. Dr Mahal's resignation cannot be accepted or rejected by the executive alone and that too without the consent of the general house. In case he still wants to go, then Dr Sohal should be the president of PAUTA and not Dr Saroa.” When asked as to why these objections were not raised earlier, Dr Sangha said, “We came to know through the media that Dr Saroa had been appointed as the president. Moreover, we wanted to give enough time to the current executive to rectify the situation. Even now, we want Dr Mahal to continue as the president and we support him on the issue.”