Even as the party high command has refused to effect a leadership change and has thrown its weight behind incumbent Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Jalandhar MP Channi is not pulling any punches. Congress’ booth-level meetings, convened to take stock of the party’s organisational set-up across districts, are now witnessing sloganeering by Channi’s supporters demanding that he be declared the party’s chief ministerial face for the Punjab assembly elections slated for February-March 2027.
On Sunday, the party’s booth-level meeting in Sangrur witnessed ugly scenes as Channi’s supporters staged a protest. While Congress leaders maintained that the protesters were AAP workers, the party was left red-faced after reports surfaced identifying Congress members from Channi’s camp among those participating in the protest. The meetings in Sangrur and Barnala witnessed chaotic scenes as Channi’s loyalists repeatedly drowned out Warring’s speeches with loud sloganeering, forcing AICC Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel to issue stern warnings of immediate expulsion for indiscipline.
On Monday, hostile posters reading “Baghel Wapas Jao” (Baghel Go Back) appeared across Sri Muktsar Sahib, Kotkapura and neighbouring areas ahead of a crucial strategy meeting to be chaired by Baghel. Sensing the volatile atmosphere, Baghel barred the media from Monday’s venue in an attempt to keep the infighting behind closed doors. While Baghel and Warring are scheduled to address a joint press conference on Tuesday after the conclusion of this round of district tours, the dissent within the party remains unyielding.
All eyes are now on August 7, when the booth-level committee meeting reaches Ropar, considered Channi’s stronghold. Party insiders view the upcoming Ropar meeting as the ultimate test of authority for both Baghel and Warring, with many fearing further public confrontations if the leadership fails to broker an immediate truce.
Despite six months of persistent mediation by the central leadership to align Warring and Channi, the hostility has only intensified. Baghel, however, has maintained that replacing Warring is off the table and has urged all factions to stop pulling in opposite directions and focus on the electoral battle ahead. At the heart of the tussle over the chief ministerial face lies the ticket distribution exercise.
A senior Congress leader told ET, “State leaders feel that whoever is declared the CM candidate will be able to push for tickets for his candidates in the forthcoming elections.” Channi has been eyeing tickets for several of his loyalists, including Varinder Dhillon, who has twice lost from the Roop Nagar assembly seat, and state NSUI president Isherpreet, who is eyeing MLA Kuldeep Nagra’s constituency.
