Amid ongoing leadership tensions in the Punjab Congress, All India Congress Committee general secretary Bhupesh Baghel held a meeting on Saturday with several party leaders, including those aligned with Jalandhar MP and former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, in an effort to ease the situation. The deadlock persists.
The session became a display of strength by state leaders seeking the removal of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Many told Baghel they would not accept Warring’s leadership, according to sources. Warring did not attend.
Baghel’s weeklong visit to Chandigarh to address differences between the Channi and Warring factions ended with the 80-minute meeting at Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjit Singh’s residence. Over 80 leaders, including sitting and former MLAs, ex-ministers and 2022 poll candidates, were present.
Attendees said Channi asked participants to raise their hands if they wanted Warring removed as PPCC president and claimed they did so. Other speakers included Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, former deputy chief minister OP Soni and several MLAs and former legislators. Former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu reportedly declined to speak.
Channi alleged that Warring was spreading rumours about his contacts with the BJP. He said he faced cases from both the central and state governments and had only sought Warring’s replacement, not any post for himself. Gurdaspur MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra said he would not contest the next polls if Warring remained. Balkaur Singh Sidhu claimed Warring was promoting rivals in his area.
Baghel later told reporters that the gathering was not a formal meeting and that no demand to replace Warring had been made. He said all leaders supported the high command and that any capable candidate would receive a ticket.
After Baghel left, Randhawa and Channi told reporters that the party needed new leadership to ensure unity and address law and order and corruption. Baghel said he agreed that compromised leaders should not be allowed and that the goal was a Congress government in Punjab. Warring dismissed the remarks about compromised leaders.
