Punjab Congress is witnessing a deepening internal rift after the faction loyal to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi boycotted party events organized by state unit chief Amarinder Singh Warring. The boycott has intensified tensions within the party ahead of the 2027 assembly elections in the state.
Channi camp boycotts Warring-led events
According to party sources, the Channi camp decided to skip a series of meetings and public outreach programs convened by Warring, citing lack of consultation and marginalization. The boycott comes amid growing resentment among Dalit and backward caste leaders over the party's leadership structure in Punjab.
Several MLAs and district-level leaders aligned with Channi stayed away from a key party meeting in Chandigarh on Tuesday, dealing a blow to Warring's efforts to project unity. The dissenting leaders have demanded a more inclusive decision-making process and greater representation for Dalit communities in the party hierarchy.
Leaders rush to Delhi for damage control
In response to the escalating crisis, senior Punjab Congress leaders have rushed to Delhi to meet the party high command. Sources said that a delegation led by Warring is expected to brief All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi about the situation.
“The high command is seized of the matter and will take appropriate steps to resolve the differences,” a senior Congress leader told India TV on condition of anonymity. The leader added that the party cannot afford a public display of infighting with the 2027 elections less than two years away.
Channi faction demands leadership change
The Channi camp has been demanding a change in the state leadership, arguing that Warring has failed to unite the party. They have also criticized Warring's handling of the 2022 assembly election defeat, where the Congress won only 18 seats out of 117.
Channi himself has remained publicly silent but his supporters have been vocal on social media and in closed-door meetings. “The party must listen to the voice of Dalits and other marginalized sections. We cannot be taken for granted,” said a Channi loyalist who did not wish to be named.
Impact on 2027 assembly polls
Political analysts believe that the continued infighting could severely damage the Congress's prospects in the 2027 Punjab assembly elections. The party is already facing a strong challenge from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the resurgent Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
In the 2022 elections, AAP swept to power with 92 seats, while the Congress managed only 18. The internal rift is likely to further erode the party's support base, particularly among Dalit voters who form a significant chunk of the electorate in Punjab.
The Congress high command is expected to intervene soon to broker peace between the warring factions. However, with both sides digging in, a quick resolution appears unlikely.
