Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Factional tensions in the Punjab Congress showed no signs of easing as meetings held as part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections were disrupted by slogan-shouting from supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
During a meeting in Barnala on Sunday, Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Barnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Kala Dhillon were present along with former ministers Raj Kumar Verka and Razia Sultana. As the leaders addressed party workers, supporters of Channi raised “Channi Zindabad” slogans, drawing attention to the party’s internal divisions.
Senior leaders appealed to workers to maintain discipline and strengthen the organisation ahead of the 2027 elections. They reiterated that the Congress would contest the upcoming Assembly polls in a united manner.
Bhupesh Baghel emphasised the need to build the party at the grassroots level, while Raja Warring said workers had the right to raise slogans in support of their leaders. He described Channi as a respected leader but suggested that those shouting slogans could also belong to another political party.
Despite the leadership’s message of organisational unity, the slogan-shouting intensified speculation about ongoing power struggles and political alignments within the Punjab Congress. Raj Kumar Verka denied any serious factionalism, saying the party was fully united and that minor differences would be resolved soon.
A similar scene unfolded in Mansa during a program organised under the “Har Booth Congress Mazboot Mission.” While Raja Warring was addressing the gathering, Channi supporters began raising slogans. Initially, Warring asked those creating disruptions to leave the venue, but later softened his stance, calling Channi “his leader” and encouraging supporters to raise slogans.
Bhupesh Baghel did not comment directly on the incident during the program. Later, he said that all factionalism within the Punjab Congress would be eliminated and asserted that the party remained united, with the high command’s directives being supreme for all leaders and workers.
