Punjab Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa has emerged as a strong contender for the post of Punjab Congress president amid the ongoing infighting within the party. A day after Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held discussions on the Punjab unit, Bajwa was suddenly summoned to New Delhi on Wednesday, where he met senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal.

Why Bajwa’s Claim Is Considered Strong

Bajwa’s name has gained momentum for two key reasons. During the ongoing factional tussle, he has largely maintained a neutral stand. He met Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel during his visit to the state, remained in touch with the camp of current Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, and also attended Baghel’s meeting with the Charanjit Singh Channi faction, keeping himself away from open factional politics.

Another factor strengthening his case is his long-standing grievance with the party high command. In 2017, Bajwa was replaced as Punjab Congress president by Captain Amarinder Singh, who later became Chief Minister after the party’s victory. Bajwa has often maintained that while he laid the groundwork for the party, others reaped the political rewards. The Congress leadership may now seek to address that dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has also called Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel to Delhi from Raipur for discussions. Sources in the Congress high command claim that incumbent Punjab Congress chief Raja Warring could step down if asked by the leadership. However, the party is reportedly preparing to deliver a major setback to the rebel camp led by former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

Why the High Command Is Not Yielding to Channi’s Pressure

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has been lobbying for a leadership change and has presented support from three MPs, nine MLAs, and 92 party leaders before Bhupesh Baghel. Despite three rounds of meetings, the Congress leadership has shown little inclination to act on the demands. Channi has now reached out to Youth Congress leaders as part of his show of strength.

According to sources, the party leadership continues to weigh Channi’s role in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, when Congress suffered a crushing defeat and Channi himself lost from both Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur constituencies. Soon after the election results, Channi left for the United States for nearly nine months, leaving the organisation at a time when it needed leadership.

Congress insiders believe the high command does not want to send a message that leaders who take an aggressive stand at politically convenient times are rewarded over those who continue to shoulder organisational responsibilities during difficult periods.

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to discuss the Punjab situation with Bhupesh Baghel in Delhi, while Channi is scheduled to meet Youth Congress leaders in Jalandhar as he continues to mobilise support.

Congress Leadership Weighs Past Performance

The Congress leadership had earlier elevated Channi to the Chief Minister’s post in 2021 after replacing Captain Amarinder Singh, bypassing leaders such as Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi declared Channi as the party’s Chief Ministerial face despite Sidhu serving as state president.

However, the strategy failed to deliver results. Congress was reduced from 77 seats in 2017 to just 18 seats in 2022, while Channi lost both constituencies he contested. Following the defeat, he travelled to the United States, later stating that the visit was for medical treatment and academic work. Despite this, Congress fielded him from Jalandhar in the Lok Sabha elections.

Why Raja Warring Continues to Enjoy High Command’s Backing

After Congress’ heavy defeat in 2022, when the Aam Aadmi Party won 92 of the 117 Assembly seats, Raja Warring was among the few Congress leaders to retain his seat, winning from Gidderbaha. At a time when few leaders were willing to take charge of the weakened state unit, Warring accepted the responsibility and has led the organisation for nearly four-and-a-half years.

With the Assembly elections only about eight months away, the Congress leadership appears reluctant to replace him, particularly when the party is attempting to maintain organisational stability.

Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel’s report to the high command has also reportedly favoured Warring. During his six-day Punjab visit, Warring consistently referred to Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa as senior party leaders and expressed confidence that all factions would unite. He also secured the backing of presidents from 23 district Congress units, a point Baghel is understood to have highlighted in his report.

Meanwhile, the Channi camp is seeking a direct meeting with Rahul Gandhi, believing that Baghel may have presented a one-sided assessment of the situation. Channi and Randhawa are reportedly in touch with senior Congress leaders in an effort to secure that meeting.

Political Experts See No Immediate Leadership Change

Political analyst and senior journalist Pramod Bathish believes Bhupesh Baghel had already indicated during his Punjab visit that the high command was unlikely to alter its stand. According to him, Warring continues to enjoy Rahul Gandhi’s confidence, particularly because he remained with the organisation during its most difficult phase after the 2022 defeat.

Political expert Prof. Dr K.K. Rattu also believes the Congress leadership has effectively ruled out both a change in the state presidency and the announcement of a Chief Ministerial face. He said the Channi camp’s primary demand is the removal of Raja Warring, but the high command has made it clear that the state president will not be changed. According to him, Channi may ultimately either accept the leadership’s decision or take a significant political step, though sidelining a leader with his support base could also prove costly for the Congress.