Amid ongoing speculations of discord within the Punjab Congress before the Assembly elections, Bhupesh Baghel, the party’s Punjab in-charge, emphasized unity within the organization. He stated that there is no division or factionalism, with all leaders supporting Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the newly appointed Punjab Congress Committee (PCC) chief. Discussions with senior leaders like Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa are set to continue in the upcoming days.
Baghel’s comments followed a meeting with several Punjab Congress leaders, although those aligned with former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi have not yet engaged with him amidst reports of internal differences. The Congress high command recently confirmed Raja Warring as the Punjab Congress president for the 2022 Assembly elections, unveiling various party committees simultaneously.
Despite some leaders advocating for Charanjit Singh Channi as the Punjab Congress president, they have not met Baghel, who arrived in the state to address growing factionalism post the organizational reshuffle. Baghel mentioned that meetings are ongoing with different committees and frontal organizations, along with one-on-one sessions with senior leaders over the next few days.
Baghel dismissed claims of factionalism within the state unit, emphasizing the unity of the Congress under its central leadership. He highlighted that everyone in the party is united under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge Sahib, asserting that the Congress remains a cohesive entity. Baghel also confirmed his communication with senior Congress leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi, expressing expectations of meeting them soon to discuss party committees and election preparations.
Reports suggest an internal struggle within the Punjab Congress following the recent organizational restructuring, but the party’s high command has affirmed that there will be no reconsideration or rollback of the decisions.
