Over 20 MLAs Back Channi, Deepening Punjab Congress Leadership Divide

The Punjab Congress witnessed growing internal dissent on Friday as more than 20 sitting and former MLAs backed former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for the post of state unit chief , despite the party's decision to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president.

Several MLAs, former legislators and senior leaders gathered at Channi's residence in Rupnagar, days after the Congress high command announced its organisational reshuffle and election committees ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections . Channi's supporters argued that he is best placed to unite the party and revive its prospects in the state. Party sources said the group has urged the Congress high command to reconsider its decision within a week.

Senior leader Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said there was disappointment over the reshuffle but insisted the meeting was not a rebellion. He said the leaders wanted the high command to take a decision that would strengthen the party and improve its chances of returning to power. Former minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar , MLA Hardev Singh Laddi , former MLA Parminder Pinki and others also backed Channi, saying public sentiment favoured his leadership.

As part of the reshuffle, Channi, the Jalandhar MP , was appointed chairman of the Congress campaign committee , while Partap Singh Bajwa continued as Leader of the Opposition and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa was named chairman of the core committee.

The developments drew criticism from the BJP, with Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu mocking the Congress leadership and claiming Raja Warring had been left isolated. Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon described the infighting as a recurring feature of the Congress.

The latest reshuffle was intended to balance rival factions, but the growing support for Channi has exposed fresh divisions within the Punjab Congress as it gears up for the 2027 Assembly elections .