Congress turmoil in Punjab over leadership appointments

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the Indian National Congress for ongoing internal conflict, citing the sidelining of senior leader Manish Tewari during the appointment of new working presidents and election committee chiefs for the Punjab unit. BJP officials described the situation as a sign of the party’s decline, with statements such as “This is nothing new. There is infighting and internal conflict in the Congress party.”

Congress defended Tewari, with MP Sukhdeo Bhagat stating that the claims of his being ignored were untrue. Meanwhile, former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who was passed over for the state party presidency in favour of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, called a meeting of about 40 supporters at his Chandigarh residence. Channi expressed dissatisfaction with the high‑command’s decision and there are rumors he could defect to the BJP if his demands are not met. The gathering is intended to gauge his support within the Punjab Congress and to plan future action ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.