New Delhi: Amid continuing factionalism in the Punjab Congress, Rajya Sabha MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Wednesday.
The meeting lasted around 40 minutes, during which both leaders reportedly put forward their concerns regarding the situation in the Punjab Congress. Following the meeting, Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have told them that he would seek feedback from Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel before taking a decision on the state Congress leadership.
A decision on whether to continue Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president is expected after the feedback process.
Randhawa backs MLAs seeking meeting with Rahul
After the meeting, Randhawa said there was nothing wrong with Punjab Congress MLAs seeking an appointment with Rahul Gandhi, particularly with the 2027 Assembly elections approaching.
He said party leaders should be able to meet their senior leadership and raise issues concerning the state unit. Randhawa also criticised the situation in the Punjab Assembly, alleging that “goondaism” was taking place there.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa was seen with Rahul Gandhi outside Parliament. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal was also present during their interaction.
Opposition to Warring intensifies
The latest developments follow a meeting at Randhawa’s residence on Tuesday night, where leaders associated with the Channi camp gathered for dinner. Those present reportedly included Bajwa, Rana Gurjit Singh, Dharamvir Gandhi, MP Sher Singh Ghubaya and Pargat Singh.
The factional differences have intensified following Bhupesh Baghel’s recent visit to Punjab. Slogans in support of Channi and against the existing state leadership during party rallies reportedly prompted the high command to reassess the situation.
According to the source material, the Congress has deployed five teams across 23 districts to gather feedback on whether Warring should continue as state party president. The teams are expected to compile their reports and submit them to Rahul Gandhi’s office, with a major decision likely before August 25.
Channi camp shifts strategy
The faction opposing Warring appears to have changed its strategy, with Bajwa now playing a more prominent role in raising the concerns of Channi and other dissenting MLAs with the central leadership.
The group had earlier sought a meeting between the dissident MLAs and Rahul Gandhi through Bajwa. Channi had also repeatedly sought an appointment with the Congress leadership but, according to the source material, was not granted one.
Meanwhile, the leadership had reportedly reprimanded Channi over factional activity and asked him to control supporters who were raising slogans in his favour and putting up posters against Baghel and Warring.
The controversy has also centred on the ‘Har Booth Congress Mazboot’ campaign. While Channi’s supporters participated in some programmes, Channi himself was reportedly absent from several organisational events, further highlighting the divisions within the Punjab Congress.
The final decision on the Punjab Congress presidency is expected to depend on the feedback being collected by the central leadership.
