Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi has openly expressed his displeasure with the party leadership after being overlooked for the post of Punjab Congress president, triggering fresh turmoil within the state unit ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Channi's supporters have opposed the party's decision to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab Congress chief and are planning to meet the Congress high command in New Delhi. Several leaders have also indicated they may resign from their organisational posts.

Show of Strength at Channi's Residence

Around 65 Congress leaders gathered at Channi's residence in Morinda on Friday to discuss the party's recent organisational reshuffle. The meeting was attended by five sitting MLAs—Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Rana Gurjeet Singh, Sukh Sarkaria, Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia and Kuldeep Singh Dhillon—along with senior Congress leaders and party functionaries.

The meeting was also attended by O.P. Soni, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Darshan Singh Brar, Lakhvir Singh Lakha, Madan Lal Jalalpur, Angad Singh Saini, Harminder Singh Gill, Kushaldeep Singh Kikki Dhillon, Tarsem Singh, Devinder Ghubaya, Joginder Pal, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Mohammad Sadiq and Barinder Singh Dhillon.

The gathering was widely seen as a show of strength by Channi's camp after the party announced its new organisational appointments.

Leaders Seek Meeting With High Command

After the meeting, senior Congress leader Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa said the group had no disagreement with the party leadership but wanted the Congress high command to hear its concerns.

"We have no conflict with the party high command. However, we have certain objections and want to meet the leadership once again. There is disappointment and dissatisfaction among us, and we hope the high command will listen to our concerns and address our grievances," Bajwa said.

Leaders close to Channi are expected to meet the Congress leadership in New Delhi in the coming days to seek a review of the organisational reshuffle.

Some Leaders Consider Resigning

Sources said several leaders who attended the meeting are considering resigning from their organisational responsibilities to increase pressure on the Congress leadership. Although no resignations have been submitted so far, the move reflects growing dissatisfaction within a section of the Punjab Congress.

Congress Retains Existing Punjab Leadership

The unrest began after the Congress retained Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president and Partap Singh Bajwa as the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly during its recent organisational reshuffle.

Channi, who was widely seen as a strong contender for the state president's post, was instead appointed chairman of the Punjab Congress campaign committee for the 2027 Assembly elections. Party sources said he was unhappy with the decision and remained incommunicado for much of Thursday before calling Friday's meeting with his supporters.

Support Grows for Channi

Several leaders at the meeting openly backed Channi for the top organisational post in Punjab. Darshan Singh Brar said the Congress would find it difficult to return to power in the state if Channi was not given the responsibility of leading the Punjab unit. Inderbir Singh Bolaria also expressed support for Channi's leadership.

Balkaur Singh, father of late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and considered close to Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, also attended the meeting, drawing political attention.

Congress Faces Internal Challenge Ahead of 2027 Polls

The latest developments underline growing differences within the Punjab Congress as the party prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections. The leadership dispute surfaced a day after Congress MP Manish Tewari posted a cryptic message on social media referring to the "insecurities of individuals" and "institutions" following the organisational reshuffle.

With Channi's supporters preparing to meet the Congress high command and some leaders considering resignations, the party leadership now faces the challenge of resolving internal differences while strengthening its organisation ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.