Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has reached Delhi for crucial discussions with the Congress high command amid the party's ongoing leadership tussle in Punjab. Channi is scheduled to meet Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal to discuss issues related to the Punjab unit.
Earlier, Venugopal held meetings with Bhupesh Baghel, the party's Punjab in-charge, and senior Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa to assess the political situation in the state.
Meanwhile, supporters of Channi have intensified the "Sara Punjab Channi De Naal" campaign on social media following Rahul Gandhi's return from his foreign visit. According to party sources, the Congress leadership views the campaign as an attempt to exert pressure on the high command, leading to displeasure within the party's top leadership.
Sources also said that Bhupesh Baghel, in his report to the high command, mentioned that while he was conducting meetings in Punjab, Channi's supporters were simultaneously holding parallel meetings, which was seen as undermining the party's organizational process.
The disagreement has further deepened over the issue of Punjab Congress leadership. Channi and his camp have reportedly made it clear that they are unwilling to contest future elections under the leadership of Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, despite the high command's decision to continue with his leadership. Party insiders say Rahul Gandhi views the open opposition to Raja Warring as an act of indiscipline.
In another significant development, Channi's camp reportedly declined to hold discussions with Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, insisting that any dialogue should take place directly with the Congress high command. Sources claim this stance has further annoyed the party leadership, and Rahul Gandhi has so far not given Channi an appointment for a meeting.
While no official statement has been issued after the meetings, the developments highlight the growing internal differences within the Punjab Congress ahead of key political challenges in the state.
