Punjab Congress infighting turns public: Channi supporters raise slogans against Raja Warring in Samana

Punjab Newsline | Patiala

The ongoing factionalism in the Punjab Congress between former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state party president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring came out in the open on Saturday when workers supporting Channi protested against Warring during a party programme in Samana, Patiala.

Protest took place during a Congress organisational meeting being held as part of the party’s campaign to strengthen its booth-level structure across Punjab. As Raja Warring began addressing the gathering, a group of workers started shouting slogans in support of Channi.

Slogans such as “Channi Liyao, Punjab Bachao” and “Channi Liyao, Congress Bachao” echoed through the venue, briefly disrupting the programme. The incident visibly angered Raja Warring, who stopped his speech and questioned the workers over the slogan-shouting.

He warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against anyone responsible for disrupting an official party programme and damaging the party’s image.

The development comes amid reports that Channi has been keeping away from the organisational campaign being led by Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and Raja Warring. Channi and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa have reportedly stayed away from several events linked to the campaign.

A day earlier, Channi was also absent from a Congress programme in Fatehgarh Sahib, where Raja Warring and leaders from his camp were present. During that event, Warring claimed that after six AAP MPs, nearly 40 to 45 AAP MLAs could also leave the ruling party, alleging that some legislators fear losing their tickets ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The latest protest has further highlighted the growing divide within the Punjab Congress since Raja Warring was given another term as state president. Leaders close to Channi have been demanding that the party clarify its leadership strategy and chief ministerial face before the next Assembly elections, particularly in view of Punjab’s significant Dalit population.

Raja Warring, however, has maintained that the Congress high command’s decision is final and that all leaders must work collectively to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 electoral battle.

The Samana incident is being seen as a clear sign that the internal power struggle within the Punjab Congress is now affecting not only the leadership but also the party’s grassroots workers at a crucial stage of organisational rebuilding.