Punjab Congress rift persists despite Baghel's unity push; Key leaders skip meetings
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 7, 2026: Despite repeated assertions by Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel that the party remains united, speculation over factionalism within the state unit continued on Tuesday as several senior leaders stayed away from key organisational meetings held in Chandigarh.
Baghel, who is on a five-day visit to Punjab, chaired a series of meetings with district presidents, working presidents and office-bearers to review the political situation and finalise the party's strategy for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
He also held discussions with leaders of the Youth Congress and Mahila Congress.
However, the absence of senior leaders considered close to former Chief Minister and MP Charanjit Singh Channi and former Deputy Chief Minister and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa added to the buzz over internal differences.
Of the three newly appointed Working Presidents, Sukhwinder Singh Danny and Raj Kumar Verka attended the meetings, while Sangat Singh Gilzian remained absent.
Amid reports of discontent, Baghel dismissed suggestions of any rift within the party, insisting that the Congress high command's decisions would remain unchanged.
"There is no resentment in the Congress. There is no question of changing the decisions taken by the high command. Everything in the Punjab Congress is absolutely fine," Baghel told reporters.
He said he has remained in regular contact with senior leaders, including Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and added that he would meet Channi personally soon. Baghel also reiterated that Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will continue as Punjab Congress President, while Partap Singh Bajwa will remain the Leader of the Opposition.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa appealed for unity within the party, saying Congress leaders must stay together if they want to bring political change in Punjab.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also sought to play down the absences, stating that Channi and Randhawa had informed the party in advance that they were out of town. He added that some district presidents were on the Amarnath Yatra and denied reports of any internal crisis.
"There is no masala. The meetings are being held as part of organisational preparations. Soon all senior Punjab Congress leaders will address the media together from one stage," Warring said.
The developments come amid continuing speculation over recent organisational appointments and growing focus on the Congress' preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections, even as the party leadership maintains that there is no internal discord.