With under a year remaining before the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls, the Congress faces renewed internal conflict over state leadership. Backers of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi have publicly called for him to take over as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president from Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, highlighting divisions inside the state unit.
The current friction began after the All India Congress Committee restructured its organisation on July 1. Warring stayed on as PPCC chief while Channi was named head of the state election campaign committee. The arrangement aimed to balance rival groups but instead sparked further tension.
Channi, the Lok Sabha representative from Jalandhar and the party’s leading Dalit figure in Punjab, had anticipated either the state presidency or being named the chief ministerial candidate. Soon after the changes, he held a gathering of supporters at his Morinda home to press his case with central leaders.
Unrest persists despite efforts by Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, who has ruled out any immediate shift and met senior figures to promote unity before the Assembly election.
Instead of favouring one side, the party distributed roles across factions. Warring remains PPCC president and Pratap Singh Bajwa stays as Legislature Party leader. Channi leads the campaign committee, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa heads the Core Committee, Vijay Inder Singla manages elections and Amar Singh oversees the manifesto. Working presidents include Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Raj Kumar Verka and Sangat Singh Gilzian.
The campaign panel also features Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Rana Gurjit Singh and Dharamvira Gandhi as co-chairs, while O.P. Soni, Razia Sultana, Kuljit Singh Nagra, Angad Singh Saini and Bharat Bhushan Ashu joined the election management group. Senior MP Manish Tewari received no election-related posts.
The contest reflects Punjab’s social makeup. Dalits form about 32 percent of the population, the highest share in any state, yet Jat Sikhs, roughly 20-22 percent, have long held political influence. Sikhs make up around 58 percent of residents and Hindus about 38-39 percent.
Channi’s supporters say naming the state’s first Dalit Chief Minister as PPCC chief would strengthen Scheduled Caste support and promote inclusion. Warring, a Jat Sikh, represents another key voting bloc the party seeks to retain.
On July 3, Channi held meetings of backers in Morinda and Mohali to demonstrate strength. Attendees included former Deputy Chief Minister O.P. Soni and several ex-ministers and legislators. Randhawa stated Punjab needs a leader who speaks with conviction rather than a compromised one. Warring replied that the party should have no sleeper cells or compromised figures.
