After a period of friction, senior leader Charanjit Singh Channi’s supporters confirmed they will meet AICC Punjab in‑charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday. The meeting, slated for the residence of MLA Rana Gurjit Singh in Chandigarh, will see a host of senior Congress figures in attendance.

Background and Current Dynamics

On July 1, the All‑India Congress Committee decided to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, a move that displeased Channi – former chief minister and Jalandhar MP – who had been lobbying for the post. Warring’s perceived soft‑stance toward the ruling AAP and BJP, coupled with his low‑profile response to law‑and‑order crises, has long been a bone of contention within the party.

Key Participants Expected at the Meeting

Alongside Channi and MLA Rana Gurjit, the delegation is expected to include Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Partap Singh Bajwa, Gurdaspur MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra, Fatehgarh Churian MLA Tripti Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Jalandhar MLA Pargat Singh and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu. Their agenda: present Baghel with documented grievances against Warring’s continued leadership.

Channi’s Core Grievances

The Channi camp alleges that Warring has failed to adopt a robust oppositional stance against the AAP government, remains soft on BJP, and has not vocally addressed spikes in crime, extortion and dacoities. They also accuse him of alienating the Scheduled Caste community by mocking late Union Home Minister Buta Singh. Moreover, they claim that since Baghel’s arrival, no new committee meetings have taken place, stalling the party’s election‑readiness.

Baghel’s Position and Warring’s Response

Baghel has emphasized his ongoing outreach to state Congress office‑bearers, aiming to forge unity before the 2027 polls. Warring, when queried about being excluded from the Channi‑Baghel talks, said he was unaware of any such condition but noted that Baghel is meeting the faction separately. He added that “in a day or two you will see us all together,” projecting a united front.

The internal showdown underscores the delicate balance of power within Punjab’s Congress unit. How the party reconciles these differences could be decisive for its performance in the 2027 assembly elections, where a cohesive strategy is essential to counter the incumbent AAP and the BJP.