Just months ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the Congress party is once again grappling with internal factionalism that threatens its electoral prospects. The party high command's recent reshuffle of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) — retaining Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as PPCC chief — was intended to project unity, but instead ignited open rebellion.
Channi supporters demand Warring's removal
On Friday, supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi gathered at his Morinda residence in a public display of resentment, demanding Warring's immediate removal. Channi, who was appointed head of the Campaign Committee, is reportedly unhappy that Warring remains in the driving seat. Although other senior leaders were given roles in election management, coordination, and manifesto committees, the so-called “collective” leadership model has failed to contain internal unrest. The high command's decision has triggered immediate dissent, threatening a vertical split in the party.
A recurring pattern of infighting
Political analysts note that infighting has become a permanent feature of Punjab Congress politics. Whether in 2015, 2021, or 2026, party leaders have routinely allowed factionalism, ego clashes, and personal ambitions to sabotage the party's fortunes. In 2021, a group led by Channi and former PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu orchestrated a coup against then Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, believing that anti-incumbency and his alleged closeness to the BJP could cost the party in the 2022 elections. However, unity was short-lived. The power struggle between Channi (projected as the CM face) and Sidhu severely damaged the party, leading to a humiliating defeat in 2022 when Congress was reduced to just 18 seats. The infighting demoralised the cadre and alienated voters, prompting prominent leaders like Sunil Jakhar, Kewal Dhillon, Fateh Bajwa, and Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi to defect to the BJP.
Historical parallels: 2015 and 2017
In 2015, then MP Captain Amarinder Singh successfully dethroned Partap Singh Bajwa as PPCC chief. Channi supported Captain Amarinder in that campaign and became Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, replacing Jakhar. That move came about a year before the 2017 Assembly elections, in which Congress won a resounding 77 out of 117 seats. Ironically, Bajwa — the victim of the 2015 rebellion — is now the Leader of the Opposition and is reportedly siding with Channi to topple Warring, proving that politics makes strange bedfellows.
Timing could prove critical
A senior political leader remarked that Channi is following the same playbook that defined Punjab Congress politics a decade ago. However, with only eight months left before the upcoming Assembly polls, the timing could prove disastrous. Party well-wishers can only hope that this time infighting will give way to resilience.
