Punjab Congress Leaders Close to Channi Set for Crucial Talks with Baghel

Punjab Congress leaders considered close to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi are set to meet the party's Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday, days after he firmly ruled out any change in the state leadership amid growing speculation over internal differences.

The meeting comes as the Congress intensifies preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections . According to party sources, Channi, senior leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa , and former minister Rana Gurjit Singh are expected to present their views to Baghel, who recently extended his Punjab visit by three days to hold consultations with party leaders.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring confirmed that Baghel would meet the leaders separately. Rejecting reports of divisions within the party, Warring said Congress remains united and that he holds no resentment against any leader. "In a day or two, you will see us all together," he said, dismissing claims that senior leaders had refused to accept his leadership.

The leadership buzz began after Channi, reportedly unhappy over not being appointed state Congress chief, and several leaders close to him delayed meeting Baghel. However, the group has now agreed to hold discussions with the AICC general secretary.

Senior Congress leader Supriya Shrinate downplayed reports of factionalism, saying differences of opinion are natural in a democratic party and that Congress has multiple capable leaders with their own support base. She expressed confidence that the party would return to power in Punjab.

Earlier this week, Baghel made it clear that the Congress high command's decision to retain Warring as Punjab Congress president would not be revisited. On July 1 , the party retained Warring as state chief while appointing Channi as chairman of the Punjab campaign committee , a move that sparked fresh leadership discussions within the state unit.