The Congress high command has decided to retain the existing leadership in Punjab, with Amrinder Singh Raja Warring continuing as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and Partap Singh Bajwa remaining Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP). The decision comes after a failed attempt to revamp the state unit during a meeting in Delhi last week, according to party sources.
High Command Avoids Repeat of 2021 Mistake
With roughly eight months left for the Punjab assembly election, sources said the high command was keen not to repeat the “mistake” of 2021, when Captain Amarinder Singh was replaced as Chief Minister by Charanjit Singh Channi barely four months before the polls. That leadership change led to internal strife and contributed to the party’s electoral defeat.
Channi, who was reportedly a strong contender for the PPCC chief’s post, has instead been appointed chairperson of the campaign committee. While the position gives him a prominent role in the party’s poll strategy, the adjustment is seen by some as an attempt to accommodate his ambitions without disturbing the existing top leadership structure.
Infighting Between Factions Limited Options
Party sources indicated that serious infighting between the Raja Warring and Channi camps had left the high command with limited options. “Due to lack of consensus among top Punjab Congress leaders, the high command decided to continue with the existing arrangement while adjusting senior leaders in different committees,” a senior Congress leader told The Tribune.
Sources said the attempt was to “balance” the claims of all main leaders — including Raja Warring as PPCC chief, Bajwa as CLP leader, and Channi — while keeping the door open for multiple aspirants for the chief ministerial post. The sources cited examples of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who headed the campaign committee in Himachal Pradesh before becoming Chief Minister, and VD Satheesan, who was CLP leader in Kerala before taking over as Chief Minister.
Key Appointments and Community Representation
Other appointments include Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa as chairperson of the core committee and Fatehgarh Sahib MP Amar Singh as head of the manifesto committee. The party has distributed responsibilities across various election-related committees, giving representation to leaders from Jat Sikh, Dalit, Hindu, and OBC communities.
Three working presidents have been appointed: Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Raj Kumar Verka, and Sangat Singh Gilzian. Senior leaders such as Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Rana Gurjeet Singh, OP Soni, Razia Sultana, and others have been named co-chairpersons in different panels.
With these appointments, the Congress high command appears to be walking a tightrope — maintaining continuity at the top while trying to keep ambitious leaders engaged and accommodating various factions in the run-up to the crucial 2027 elections.
