Punjab Congress Factionalism Out in the Open: Channi Visits Madan Lal Jalalpur After Suspension, Targets Raja Warring
Internal Revolt Intensifies in Punjab Congress: Raja Warring and Jalalpur at Loggerheads; Channi's Visit Triggers Political Buzz
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala, August 1, 2026:
Factionalism within the Punjab Congress has come into the open, with fresh political turmoil erupting after the suspension of former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur from the party. While Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has defended the action, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's visit to Jalalpur's residence has exposed widening divisions within the state unit.
Expressing his anguish after the suspension, Madan Lal Jalalpur launched a direct attack on Raja Warring, alleging that the state Congress chief had treated him unfairly. Jalalpur said he had only spoken about the need to unite the party and that the concerns he raised were now being echoed across Punjab.
"I never used any disrespectful words against K.C. Venugopal or Bhupesh Baghel. Both are highly respected leaders. I only said that the Congress graph in Punjab has declined since Raja Warring was reappointed as state president. Why was action taken only against me? I was not even served a show-cause notice," Jalalpur said.
Meanwhile, addressing a workers' meeting in Patiala in the presence of AICC Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, Raja Warring maintained that Jalalpur had not been suspended recently but much earlier. According to Warring, disciplinary action had already been initiated after Jalalpur allegedly used objectionable language against the party's central leadership and K.C. Venugopal during an earlier visit.
Amid the controversy, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's visit to Jalalpur's residence has assumed significant political importance. After meeting him, Channi criticised the party leadership for issuing notices and suspending senior leaders and former legislators.
"This is not a fight over any post or the party presidency; it is about the issues concerning Punjab. The party leadership should carry everyone along. Our real battle is against those who come from Delhi to rule Punjab," Channi said.
The developments also highlighted visible factional divisions within the Patiala region. While Raja Warring and Bhupesh Baghel were holding a party meeting, senior Congress leaders, including Patiala MP Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, were seen alongside Channi at Jalalpur's residence, around 10–20 kilometres away. Notably, these leaders stayed away from Warring's programme.
The political temperature rose further during a function at Samana, where Congress workers reportedly raised slogans against Punjab Congress president Raja Warring. Angered by the protest from his own party workers, Warring reacted sharply. The latest developments indicate that internal tensions within the Punjab Congress may intensify further in the run-up to the next elections.