The Congress leadership has succeeded in calming rival groups within its Punjab organization and establishing a short-term agreement, yet underlying divisions remain strong. The contentious issue of whether Lok Sabha members can run in next year’s state assembly polls risks triggering new conflicts, according to insiders. Several potential chief ministerial candidates, such as former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, currently serve as Lok Sabha members.
Leaders within the party noted that Channi, who sought the Punjab Congress presidency, expressed disappointment after the central leadership chose to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring in that role. While keeping Warring as state president and Partap Singh Bajwa as legislature party chief, the high command created positions for Channi and other senior figures including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Amar Singh, and Vijay Inder Singla by naming them to important election panels.
This outcome followed prolonged internal negotiations marked by significant behind-the-scenes efforts, according to sources. A three-member committee led by Ajay Maken consulted 66 senior figures after many leaders pushed for Warring’s removal. Around 30 Jatt Sikh leaders had requested a meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to support Channi, a Dalit Sikh, for the state presidency. As pressure from the Channi group increased, opposing factions also mobilized. Warring reportedly gained backing from most district presidents appointed in late 2025. Bajwa and Randhawa reportedly coordinated to block Channi from the top position.
One suggestion from opponents proposed that Channi, if appointed president, should be barred from contesting assembly elections. Another view held that replacing Warring, who had led for over four years, shortly before polls would create negative perceptions.
The central leadership’s earlier choice to replace Captain Amarinder Singh with Channi months before the 2022 assembly elections proved costly, resulting in just 18 seats out of 117, the party’s poorest showing.
Channi, Randhawa, Amar Singh, and Warring all hold Lok Sabha seats. Sources indicated that rules allowing or restricting MPs from contesting assembly elections may spark the next dispute. The party has no fixed policy on this matter. It barred MPs from Kerala polls but permitted Gaurav Gogoi to contest in Assam, where he lost by over 23,000 votes.
Historically, the party has named Lok Sabha members as chief ministers after victories, including Kamal Nath in Madhya Pradesh in 2018 and Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Haryana in 2005. Channi has reportedly remained displeased and has not issued any statement.
Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari also voiced frustration over lack of consultation and shared his views publicly. In a social media post, he referenced insecurities within individuals and institutions while affirming his long service to the party. Sources indicated Tewari felt excluded from the feedback process despite not seeking any Punjab role. He has previously represented Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib and now serves Chandigarh. Critics within the party argued that failing to seek his input, while consulting even district presidents, conveyed an unwelcome message.
