Punjab Congress Row Intensifies as Channi Camp Rejects Raja Warring’s Leadership

July 3, 2026

Amritsar: The tussle over leadership appears to be intensifying within the Punjab Congress ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi convened a meeting of MPs, MLAs, and constituency in-charges at his Morinda residence on Friday. It is believed that Channi, upset over not being appointed state president, is now preparing to flex his political muscles.

Discontent has surfaced within the Punjab Congress following the reappointment of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the state party president. Amid the growing resentment, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi convened a meeting at his Morinda residence on Friday, attended by several current and former Congress leaders, including former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Rana Gurjeet Singh, MLA Kuldeep Singh Kala Dhillon, former MLAs Darshan Singh Brar, Tarsem Singh (Attari), Surinder Chaudhary (Kartarpur), Inderbir Singh Ballaria, Barinder Dhillon and Ladi Sherowalia.

Speaking to the media, former Bagha Purana MLA Darshan Singh Brar said he does not accept Raja Warring as the Punjab Congress chief and claimed the party high command had made the wrong decision. Brar asserted that Charanjit Singh Channi should have been appointed the state president. Former MLAs Tarsem Singh and Surinder Chaudhary also backed Channi, saying he was the most suitable choice to lead the Punjab Congress.

Discussion on Channi’s two major demands

Political analysts believe that Channi is placing two major demands before the party high command. First, he should be made the state president of the Punjab Congress. Second, if he does not receive the position, he should be declared the chief ministerial candidate for the 2027 assembly elections.

According to experts, there has been a long-standing tradition in the Punjab Congress that the leader who becomes the state president before the elections is the front-runner for the post of chief minister once the government is formed. This is why Channi considers this position crucial.

Attempt to put pressure on the Congress

Political analysts say that Channi’s show of strength is part of a strategy to pressure the party leadership. His aim is to demonstrate that he has a large number of leaders and supporters within the party.

It is being reported that even leaders close to Channi are not openly expressing support for the state leadership’s decisions, which has further fueled discussions of discontent within the party.

What if the demands aren’t met?

Experts believe that if the Congress high command doesn’t agree to any of Channi’s demands, there is speculation that he may pursue a different political path in the future. However, no official statement has been issued by Channi in this regard.

Political experts say that if this happens, it could impact the Congress’s Dalit vote bank, as Channi is considered an influential leader among the Dalit community in the state.