In a significant development, senior Punjab Congress leaders who have been opposing Amrinder Singh Raja Warring's continued tenure as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief have decided to initiate a dialogue with AICC general secretary in-charge Bhupesh Baghel. This move signals a possible easing of tensions within the faction-ridden state unit.
Meeting of Aggrieved Leaders
At a meeting attended by at least seven senior leaders — including former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Rana Gurjeet Singh, Parminder Pinki, Pargat Singh, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Barinder Dhillon, and Barindermeet Singh Pahra — it was decided to meet Baghel on Friday or Saturday after consultations with all stakeholders. Rana Gurjeet contacted Baghel on Thursday to schedule the meeting.
The aggrieved leaders have agreed to meet Baghel on the condition that Warring is not part of the deliberations, a senior leader said on condition of anonymity. Sources revealed that most leaders present expressed resentment over Baghel's hostile posturing in recent days.
Background of the Rift
The development comes amid reported resentment among certain sections, particularly leaders close to Channi, over the high command's decision to retain Warring as PPCC president. Several leaders had earlier skipped key meetings and demanded a leadership change ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Baghel, who has been in the state to oversee organisational preparations, has publicly maintained that there is no question of changing the state leadership, emphasizing that the high command's decision is final.
Baghel's Response
Welcoming the development, Baghel said, “I received a call from Rana Gurjeet. I will be meeting them. I am going to visit those who are extending the invitation.” With Rahul Gandhi returning from abroad on Friday, Congress leaders are hopeful of an early resolution.
Back-Channel Persuasion
Senior leaders privy to back-channel parleys said a senior party leader close to Sonia Gandhi had persuaded the unhappy leaders not to publicly defy AICC representatives and instead raise their concerns while maintaining party discipline. Speaking to The Tribune, Randhawa said all the leaders were disciplined soldiers of the party and would take up their issues with the Punjab affairs in-charge on the party platform. “All senior leaders will collectively meet the party high command. No leader will speak individually. Instead, we will speak together and listen to the views of the party high command,” Randhawa stated.
Channi's Role in Uniting Leaders
Sources said Channi has been working to bring all leaders, including Partap Bajwa, Pargat Singh, and Randhawa, on one platform. For the scheduled meeting with Baghel, efforts are underway to bring all leaders, including Bajwa, together to present their grievances before the Punjab affairs in-charge. During Thursday's meeting, Channi reportedly called Sukhpal Khaira and asked him to speak to Rana Gurjeet, who was present at the meeting. Rana Gurjeet and Khaira have been at loggerheads in the past.
Randhawa's Remarks on Warring
Randhawa, meanwhile, said Warring needed to introspect as to why he (Randhawa) was upset. He questioned why Warring had referred to them as “disgruntled leaders” when he himself had no grievance against the party. Randhawa asserted he was not angry with the Congress and that Warring should clear any such misconceptions.
