Punjab: Bhupesh Baghel says there is 'no factionalism' in Congress' state unit

The signs of discontent within the Punjab Congress came into the open on Friday as supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi began gathering at his residence in Chamkaur Sahib since morning, expressing resentment over the party high command's recent organisational appointments ahead of the Assembly elections. Madan Lal Jalalpur addressing the media outside the residence of Charanjit Singh Channi in Morinda. The gathering is being viewed by political observers as the first open display of dissatisfaction following the A revolt erupted within the Punjab Congress following the AICC's decision on office-bearer lists. Disgruntled leaders gathered at Charanjit Singh Channi's residence on Friday to show strength, demanding a central organizational role for Channi in the 2027 elections. This unrest followed the selection of Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Partap Singh Bajwa. Speculation also arose after Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa met Amit Shah. The Punjab Congress appears headed for another bout of internal turbulence ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, as former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi staged a show of strength while speculation grew over a possible meeting between Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. The twin developments have intensified political chatter over the party’s internal dynamics, days after the Congress high command retained Ludhiana MP Amarinder Raja Warring as president Recent developments in the Punjab Congress highlight deep factionalism, with former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi convening a show-of-strength meeting amid dissatisfaction over his role. Reports of senior leaders potentially meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah add political intrigue. The situation raises questions about whether Channi faces similar isolation as Captain Amarinder Singh did previously regarding organizational control within the party.