Punjab Congress internal rift deepens as leaders clash before 2027 state election

Senior Punjab Congress figures met on July 9 to project unity despite rumours of a leadership row after the party’s reshuffle that kept Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as state chief and named former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi as campaign chair. The meeting, attended by Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Pargat Singh and others, emphasized collective strength and dismissed speculation of a deadlock.

Channi later alleged that the AAP‑run Punjab government manipulated the Morinda municipal council election, claiming police barred Congress councillors from voting and an independent candidate was declared the winner. He said the party will challenge the result in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

State Congress in‑charge Bhupesh Baghel, speaking at a subsequent gathering in Chandigarh, asserted that “all is well” and that leaders remain aligned with the high command. He dismissed any changes to the leadership structure and hinted that ticket distribution for the 2027 Assembly polls will favour capable candidates. Meanwhile, Raja Warring announced he would skip a scheduled meeting with Baghel and Channi, citing potential discussions against him.