Punjab Congress tensions persist despite leadership’s unity push
The absence of senior Punjab Congress leaders from a Chandigarh protest has renewed questions about the party’s internal cohesion before the 2027 Assembly election. The central leadership has sought a broader assessment of the state unit, while a party source says changes could be addressed soon.
Questions about unity within Punjab Congress have resurfaced after several senior leaders, including former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, did not attend the party’s demonstration in Chandigarh on Friday. The protest was held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Channi’s absence has drawn attention because the party is attempting to settle internal differences ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election.
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee was reorganised on July 1, with Amarinder Singh Raja Warring retained as president. Channi, who represents Jalandhar in the Lok Sabha and is described in the source material as the party’s most prominent Dalit face in the state, was appointed head of the election campaign committee. The changes triggered unease among Channi and other leaders, including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rana Gurjit and Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa.
Their supporters called for Warring to be replaced, exposing divisions within the state organisation. The Congress central leadership subsequently appointed Sachin Pilot as general secretary in charge of Punjab, replacing former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. After taking charge, Pilot said nearly all leaders in the state had assured him that they would work collectively.
There have been occasional signs of cooperation. Senior leaders joined a September 9 demonstration against the Punjab government, led by Pilot. However, the latest protest again highlighted the unresolved tensions.
A party source said a meeting on the Punjab unit had taken place at national president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, attended by Rahul Gandhi and Pilot. The source said Pilot had submitted a detailed report and expressed confidence that issues, including possible changes to the state leadership, would be resolved the following week. The source also said a Gandhi-led bus journey could be organised to begin the election campaign, although no such event was confirmed in the material.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.