The Congress high command's meeting with Punjab leaders in Delhi on Friday turned into a stormy affair, with discussions centred on the party's performance in the municipal elections, organisational issues and preparations for the 2027 assembly elections, amid continuing debate within the state unit over leadership and strategy.
Key Attendees
The meeting was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. Among those present from Punjab were AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Vijay Inder Singla and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
Electoral Performance Under Scrutiny
The Congress is seeking to position itself as the principal challenger to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, while sections within the Punjab Congress have been demanding organisational changes and greater introspection following a series of electoral setbacks.
According to party sources, the municipal election results figured prominently during the deliberations. The outcome of the civic polls drew attention within the party, particularly after the Congress's poor performance in Gidderbaha, the home assembly constituency of PPCC chief Warring.
In Gidderbaha, the Congress won two of the 19 municipal wards, while the Aam Aadmi Party secured victory in 17 wards. In contrast, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi registered a strong performance in his Chamkaur Sahib assembly constituency. In Morinda Municipal Council, which falls within the constituency, the Congress won 10 of the 15 wards. Senior Congress leader Rana Gurjit Singh also strengthened his position in Kapurthala, where Congress candidates won 31 of the 50 wards.
Internal Differences Surface
Sources said questions were raised about the party's performance and explanations were sought for the results. According to sources, Warring maintained that the ruling party had misused official machinery and that a large number of nomination papers had been rejected during the elections.
The results assume significance against the backdrop of differences that have surfaced within the state Congress in recent years. Channi and Rana Gurjit Singh have publicly differed with Warring on organisational and political issues.
Earlier, Channi sought greater representation for Dalits in the party's organisational structure. Warring responded by recalling that Channi was elevated to the post of chief minister by the Congress leadership. More recently, Warring questioned the party's decision to replace former chief minister Amarinder Singh with Channi ahead of the 2022 assembly elections, saying the move did not produce the expected results. Rana Gurjit Singh has also been critical of Warring in the past. Senior leaders, including Pargat Singh and Bharat Bhushan Ashu, have also publicly called for introspection within the party.
Leadership Change Ruled Out
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bhupesh Baghel ruled out any change in the party's leadership in Punjab. Referring to earlier remarks by KC Venugopal, he said it was already made clear that there would be no leadership change and there was no need to repeat it.
Commenting on the municipal elections, Baghel said that historically the party in power tends to perform better in local body polls. He alleged that the AAP government had misused power, but maintained that Congress workers had fought the elections strongly and that the party had performed well.
Baghel said detailed discussions were held on the party's strategy for the assembly elections. He said Punjab was important both for the Congress and for the country, and added that the party leadership had directed the state unit to work in a united manner and intensify its political activities in the coming months.
Bajwa's Early Departure Sparks Speculation
Partap Singh Bajwa left the meeting before its conclusion, sparking speculation, particularly amid recurring discussions over possible changes in the party's leadership structure, including the post of Leader of the Opposition.
According to sources, Bajwa presented his views and left following a heated exchange with another senior leader over municipal corporation results.
However, Baghel dismissed any speculation over the development, saying there was no reason to read much into Bajwa's early exit. He said Bajwa, being a senior party leader, had informed the leadership before leaving the meeting.
