Leadership Disputes Emerge in Punjab Congress Ahead of 2027 Elections
As the Punjab Congress prepares for the 2027 assembly elections, leadership disputes have emerged, particularly between former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and current party president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Channi's opposition to Warring's continued leadership has sparked discussions among senior party members, with some supporting a change. Bhupesh Baghel, the AICC in-charge for Punjab, has indicated that the current leadership will likely remain in place, despite calls for change. With elections on the horizon, the Congress party is actively strategizing and engaging with its leaders to solidify its position.
Jul 15, 2026, 20:05 IST
Leadership Challenges in Punjab Congress
As the Punjab Congress gears up for the upcoming 2027 assembly elections, tensions regarding leadership have surfaced. Former Chief Minister and head of the Punjab Congress campaign committee, Charanjit Singh Channi, met with the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Pratap Singh Bajwa, at his residence in Chandigarh on Wednesday. On July 1, the Congress leadership announced that Amarinder Singh Raja Warring would continue as the president of the Punjab Congress. Reports suggest that Channi is opposing this decision and is advocating for a change in leadership, with some senior leaders backing the campaign of the Jalandhar MP.
Meanwhile, Bhupesh Baghel, the AICC in-charge for Punjab, submitted a report to Congress General Secretary (Organization) K.C. Venugopal. Sources indicate that the report recommended retaining Warring as the state president, as 25 out of 29 district presidents and four out of seven MPs from Punjab support him. After meeting Venugopal in New Delhi, Baghel hinted that there would be no leadership changes in Punjab, stating, 'This is not a children's game.' He reiterated similar sentiments during his time in Chandigarh.
With assembly elections expected early next year, the Congress party is preparing for the polls. Following the announcement of a new team for the elections, Baghel spent six days in Chandigarh, engaging with various leaders. On the final day, he also met with a group of disgruntled leaders led by Channi. After several senior Punjab Congress leaders called for a leadership change, reports indicate that the Congress high command is considering various options.
On Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, with Venugopal also in attendance. Before meeting Baghel on Wednesday morning, Venugopal had a discussion with Pratap Singh Bajwa, the leader of the Congress legislative party in Punjab.
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