Raja Warring to continue as Punjab Congress Chief; Bhupesh Baghel’s firm stand on leadership in state

July 8, 2026

Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will continue as the Punjab Congress President. Bhupesh Baghel, the party’s in-charge for Punjab, made it clear upon arriving at the state Congress office that there would be no change in leadership in the state.

On Wednesday, Baghel stated that changing the president is not child’s play and the high command would not alter its decision. All district presidents are in agreement regarding Warring’s appointment. The Congress party will contest the 2027 assembly elections under Raja Warring’s leadership. Baghel mentioned that he had spoken with MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Channi, and would be meeting them soon as well.

Channi and supporters are upset
Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and his supporters remain adamant on replacing the current state president, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. To resolve this dispute, Punjab in-charge and former CM Bhupesh Baghel initiated a series of meetings, but Channi insists on meeting the high command first.

On Tuesday, Channi stayed away from Baghel’s meeting. His supporting MLAs, former ministers, and former MLAs also did not attend the state in-charge’s meeting. Now, following Baghel’s firm stance, it remains to be seen what Channi’s next move will be.

Rahul and Priyanka’s teams are trying to pacify the situation
On Tuesday evening, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s team contacted former CM Channi. A meeting between him and Rahul Gandhi could take place soon, while a team sent by Priyanka Gandhi has already met with Channi.

Although former CM Channi and his supporters have remained quiet following these interactions, the internal situation within the Punjab Congress has the high command worried about a potential party split. An MLA supporting Channi stated that during a meeting in Morinda, all leaders had authorized former CM Channi to discuss the matter with the high command; therefore, they want him to present the grievances of the disgruntled Punjab leaders to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge before engaging with the state in-charge. According to him, the majority of leaders do not accept Warring’s leadership.