All-India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary incharge for Punjab Bhupesh Baghel will be in Chandigarh on July 6, 2026, to assess the scale of dissent within the state unit after the party retained Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab Congress chief. Three co-incharges—Suraj Thakur, Ravindra Dalvi and Hina Kavre—are already in the state and holding talks with disgruntled leaders.
Channi Camp Reluctant to Meet Baghel
According to party insiders, many leaders owing allegiance to the camp of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi are reluctant to meet Baghel. This comes after a show of strength at Channi’s Morinda residence on Friday, where several leaders gathered, signaling discontent with Warring’s continued leadership.
Warring Camp to Meet Baghel
Most leaders siding with Warring are expected to meet Baghel. For the past few days, efforts have been underway to mollify leaders who attended the Morinda gathering. A senior party leader said both the Warring and Channi camps are ensuring they hold on to their supporters. A source indicated that those opposed to Warring could come together to dethrone him. The group of leaders who have authorized Channi to take up their grievances with the party high command are also working to form a common platform.
Warring Downplays Factionalism
On Saturday, striking a conciliatory tone, Warring said, “Channi Sahib is our elder brother, a senior leader and a former CM. If some Congress leaders meet him at his residence, there is nothing wrong in that. Tomorrow, leaders may gather at my residence or at Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s home as well. That should not be interpreted as infighting.” He added that there was “no factionalism” in the Punjab Congress and all party leaders would appear together on a common stage in the coming days.
Warring has been meeting a section of leaders over the past two days to ease tensions. The outcome of Baghel’s visit is expected to shape the future course of action for the Punjab Congress unit.
