New Delhi, July 3
Former CM, CWC member & Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi has openly revolted against the party high command, leading a meeting of ex‑ministers & ex-MLAs to challenge the AICC’s decision to retain Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as PPCC chief. Sources close to AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C.Venugopal have slammed the move as “open defiance” of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi, making it clear that the appointments announced for Punjab ahead of next year’s Assembly polls will not be rolled back.
Reportedly, Channi, appointed chairman of the Punjab Election Campaign Committee, is upset at not being given charge of the PPCC presidency. Along with other detractors of Warring, he convened a meeting on Friday to convey to the party high command that they would not work under Warring’s leadership. However, the Channi group deliberately leaked the proceedings, instantly turning the meeting into ‘breaking headlines across TV channels’ and ‘online portals’ as ‘Revolt in Punjab Congress. The leak transformed what was meant to be an internal communication into a public spectacle, leaving the AICC leadership fuming at the breach of discipline.
According to party insiders, those present at the meeting backed the view that Channi should not merely lead the election campaign but be declared the Chief Ministerial candidate. This is in stark contrast to the fact that, perturbed by the airing of internal disputes and the weakening of the Congress through public wrangling, Rahul Gandhi had, at the Barnala rally on February 28, categorically rebuked Punjab leaders, warning them to ‘work as a team or sit in reserves.’
“Even after that stern caution, Channi has dared to grossly violate party discipline — a move the Congress top brass is unlikely to take lightly,” said a leader close to Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel.
Meanwhile, top AICC functionaries confirmed to The News Gateway that under no circumstances will the party leadership buckle under the pressure of these ‘undisciplined’ and ‘over‑ambitious leaders’. “When the party replaced one of its tallest leaders, Capt. Amarinder Singh, with Channi as Chief Minister in 2021, the latter now seems to believe the party will succumb to his pressure. Such an assumption is nothing short of laughable,” is what sources close to Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, it is also a fact that the decision to replace Capt. Amarinder Singh, with Channi as Chief Minister in 2021, proved fatal — the party suffered a humiliating rout in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, reduced to just 18 seats.
The party high command later also acknowledged that its failure to take appropriate action against Channi after the Enforcement Directorate seized ₹8 crore in cash from the residence of his nephew, Bhupinder Singh Honey, barely a month before the Assembly elections, was a major factor behind the 2022 debacle.
“Learning from past lessons, the party high command took no chances this time. Decisions were made firmly in the larger interest of the Congress, with the clear message that the party stands above individual ambitions. Punjab leaders must understand this reality — failing which, strict disciplinary action will be taken against those who refuse to fall in line,” said an AICC functionary, preferring anonymity.
The revolt led by Channi has not only exposed his over‑ambition but also underscored a blatant disregard for party discipline. At a time when Congress is striving to rebuild in Punjab, such defiance only weakens the organisation and plays into the hands of its rivals. The high command has made it clear that the party stands above individual egos and any attempt to challenge its authority will be met with firm disciplinary action. Channi’s gamble, far from strengthening his position, risks isolating him further within the Congress fold.