Warring Rejects CM Ambitions Amid Leadership Tussle
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Warring on Monday dismissed speculation of a rift within the party, warning those in the Charanjit Singh Channi camp not to “dream of becoming chief minister.” The sharp remark came as Channi’s supporters intensified efforts to install a new state party chief, fueling rumors of a power struggle ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Warring asserted that the party is united under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and that there is no vacancy for the CM post. “Let me make it clear: no one should harbour illusions about the chief minister’s chair. The Congress high command will decide the future course, and we all must work together to strengthen the party,” he said.
Channi Camp Pushes for Change
The remarks come amid growing demands from Channi loyalists for a change in the state party leadership. A faction of Punjab Congress leaders, believed to be close to former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, has been lobbying for Warring’s removal, accusing him of failing to check infighting and revive the party’s fortunes after its 2022 assembly defeat.
According to party insiders, at least 15 MLAs and several district presidents have signed a memorandum seeking Warring’s replacement. The Channi camp argues that a new face is needed to counter the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP combine in the next elections.
Warring Dismisses ‘Rift’ Narrative
Warring, however, dismissed the move as the work of a “handful of disgruntled elements” and insisted that the party remains cohesive. “There is no rift in Punjab Congress. Some people are trying to create confusion for their personal ambitions. The party is with me, and I have the full backing of the high command,” he said.
He also took a dig at Channi without naming him, saying, “Those who lost the last election should focus on rebuilding the party instead of dreaming of positions.” Channi served as chief minister for a brief period in 2021-22 before the Congress lost power to AAP.
High Command’s Silence Sparks Speculation
The Congress high command has so far remained silent on the leadership tussle, triggering speculation that a change may be on the cards. Party sources indicate that the central leadership is monitoring the situation closely but is unlikely to take a decision before the upcoming local body elections.
Political analysts say the internal bickering could hurt the Congress’s prospects in Punjab, where it is already struggling to regain lost ground. The party won just 18 of 117 seats in the 2022 assembly polls, its worst-ever performance in the state.
Channi Camp’s Strategy
The Channi camp’s push for a new state president is seen as a bid to consolidate Dalit votes ahead of the 2027 elections. Channi, a Dalit leader, enjoys significant support among the Scheduled Caste community, which forms about 32% of Punjab’s population. By installing a loyalist as state chief, the faction hopes to project itself as the true representative of Dalit interests within the party.
However, Warring’s supporters argue that the party needs stable leadership to counter AAP’s welfare schemes and the Akali Dal’s core Sikh vote bank. “Changing the state chief now will only create more instability. We need to focus on organizational overhaul and connect with voters,” said a senior Congress leader close to Warring.
Congress’s Road Ahead
With the 2027 assembly elections still over two years away, the Congress has time to resolve its internal differences. But the ongoing feud between the Warring and Channi camps has raised concerns about the party’s ability to mount a credible challenge to the AAP government, which has been in power since March 2022.
Warring appealed for unity, saying, “Our fight is against AAP and the Akalis, not among ourselves. I urge everyone to focus on strengthening the party at the booth level and preparing for the next elections.”
