Punjab Congress Faces Internal Strife Amid Leadership Review
The Punjab Congress is currently grappling with internal conflicts as Bhupesh Baghel submits a report on the leadership situation to AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. Following a six-day tour of Punjab, where he engaged with various party leaders, Baghel's findings come amidst opposition to the retention of Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding as president. With the assembly elections approaching, discussions on leadership dynamics are intensifying, especially after Rahul Gandhi's recent meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. This article delves into the ongoing political turmoil within the Punjab Congress.
| Jul 15, 2026, 14:11 IST
Internal Conflicts in Punjab Congress
As internal discord continues within the Punjab Congress, Bhupesh Baghel, the party's state in-charge, met with AICC General Secretary (Organization) K.C. Venugopal on Wednesday. Following several days of discussions with party leaders, he submitted a report regarding the leadership situation. This report comes after Baghel's six-day visit to Punjab, during which he held meetings at the Punjab Congress office and engaged in one-on-one discussions with various leaders to assess the internal conflicts.
On the same day, Pratap Singh Bajwa, the leader of the Congress Legislative Party, also met Venugopal at his residence, although he did not disclose details of their conversation. The leadership dispute arose when the Congress high command decided to retain Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding as the Punjab Congress president. A faction of senior leaders, led by former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukjinder Singh Randhawa, opposed this decision. Baghel stated that his report includes feedback gathered from leaders across the state.
Baghel informed reporters that during his six-day tour of Punjab, he met with leaders and listened to their concerns, which included discussions at the Punjab Congress office and face-to-face meetings. After engaging with various leaders and discussing issues with them, he submitted his report to K.C. Venugopal. When asked if he recommended changes in state leadership to resolve the crisis, Baghel declined to provide details about his report, stating, 'How can I tell you what I reported to the party leadership?'
He reiterated that he had personal discussions with all key leaders before submitting his assessment to the party leadership. This development comes on the heels of Rahul Gandhi's recent return from abroad, where he met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. It is believed that they discussed leadership issues in Punjab ahead of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for early next year.
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