New Delhi: A fresh round of factional activity has emerged within the Punjab Congress ahead of the Assembly elections, with former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s supporters seeking his appointment as state unit chief, even as the party leadership projects unity.
At a meeting held at Channi’s residence in Morinda, attended by over 20 sitting and former MLAs, ex-ministers and senior leaders, participants questioned the continuation of Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and urged a review of the decision. Sources said the group has given the party leadership a week to reconsider the appointment.
In a post on X, Channi said, “Congress party leadership called on me at my residence and urged me to present the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Punjab before the High Command.”
Speaking after the meeting, MLA Tript Bajwa said there was “resentment and disappointment” over recent appointments, while ruling out rebellion. “We have no issue with the high command. We have requested Channi to seek time for a meeting with the leadership. There are certain things we want to place before them so that decisions are taken in the larger interest of the Congress and help the party return to power in Punjab,” he said.
Party leader Barinder Singh Dhillon said, “The fight is not for any post. The fight is how to defeat AAP in Punjab, and Channi can effectively lead that battle.”
Party sources indicated that Channi was dissatisfied after being overlooked for the state president’s post.
Separately, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi triggered political speculation. Randhawa said the meeting was to discuss Punjab’s law and order situation and not related to state politics.
He said he had raised concerns over rising gangsterism, extortion and cross-border narco-terrorism, particularly in border districts, and sought greater central intervention. “The home minister asked whether I had spoken to the state’s DGP. Extortion is happening, gangsters lodged in jails are operating through mobile phones, and there are fears of criminals influencing elections,” he said.
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot supported the meeting, saying it was appropriate for an elected representative to raise security concerns with the Union home minister.
Commenting on the party situation, Randhawa said dissatisfaction following the reshuffle was “unfortunate”. “Channi can speak about the meeting. I am here in Delhi, as you can see. Once a party list comes and when such a thing happens, it causes damage. But one must bear in mind that even after so many meetings (before high command made recent appointments), if there is still dissatisfaction, then it is a sad thing,” he said.
The Congress had recently retained Warring as state president, continued Partap Singh Bajwa as Leader of Opposition, appointed Channi as campaign committee chairman and named Randhawa as core committee chairman in an effort to balance factions ahead of the polls.
The developments indicate continuing internal differences within the party as it prepares for the Assembly elections.
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