Chandigarh, July 11
Punjab Congress seems determined to wreck its own chances in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls. Even after AICC general secretary in‑charge of Punjab Congress Affairs Bhupesh Baghel’s marathon five‑day effort to pacify warring leaders with assurances of fair accommodation post‑victory, the party was dragged back to square one on the final day when former Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s highly critical statement reignited the crisis. Speaking to the media, without naming Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, former Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said, “We don’t want a compromised leader.”
It is pertinent to note that leaders from the Channi camp, including Charanjit Singh Channi himself, were slated to meet Baghel today at the residence of Rana Gurjeet. What was initially meant to be a closed‑door meeting of just three leaders—Channi, Randhawa and Rana Gurjeet—soon turned into a spectacle as several top Congress figures, including Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa, descended on the venue. Yet, apart from Bajwa and a few others, most did not even make it into the meeting room, leaving the gathering marked more by intrigue and factional posturing than by resolution.
Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist, the much‑touted meeting meant to give a platform to disgruntled Congress leaders led by Channi was stripped of all legitimacy when Baghel bluntly declared, “I was invited by Rana Gurjeet and so I came.” By distancing himself from Channi’s pressure, Baghel made it clear this was no official meeting. The statement proved “disastrous” for the Channi group, as what was projected as a serious discussion on PPCC appointments “collapsed” into sheer embarrassment. More strikingly, during the informal interaction with Baghel, Channi did not utter a single word — a silence that spoke louder than any statement and underscored the weakening position of his camp.
Immediately reacting to a media query regarding Randhawa’s statement, Warring said, “Who is compromised? Has he taken any names? If not, why point at me? He’s right—if anyone is compromised, they cannot stay with us. Congress needs no sleeper cells, no compromised leaders.”
What is most significant is that Randhawa never named Warring directly. Asked about Randhawa’s remark, Baghel backed Warring’s sentiment unequivocally: “Yes, I agree—any leader who is compromised cannot work. If anyone is compromised by BJP, it will not work. It is my responsibility and I will not let it happen.”
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa described the informal meeting as the culmination of a long‑standing demand among party workers. He noted that Baghel patiently heard everyone for over two hours and assured that every word would be conveyed to the high command, with misgivings and outstanding issues resolved. Bajwa added, “What I expressed earlier was as an elderly party worker — it is my dream, the dream of Congress workers and the desire of every common Punjabi to see Congress emerge as a viable alternative. Channi and Warring will stand together on the same platform, working for Congress.”
On Baghel’s meeting with the Channi camp, senior Congress leader and former Punjab Minister Pargat Singh remarked, “Everyone has their own point of view and we have apprised Baghel of the ground reality. He assured us that all suggestions will be factored into the upcoming strategy and conveyed word‑for‑word to the high command. Every individual has their own way of expressing things — mine is just different. But what needed to be said has been said and almost everyone conveyed it well.”
Finally, drawing a line under the turbulence, Baghel dismissed talk of any rift in Punjab Congress, stating bluntly, “Nothing is wrong, everything is fine in Punjab. Nothing has happened. All is well.” With Warring escorting him, Baghel then left for the airport to board his flight to New Delhi — a departure that symbolically closed his five‑day firefighting mission.
In the end, what stands out is the unmistakable message from the high command —Warring is here to stay. Despite the noise and factional theatrics, the AICC has made it clear there will be no change at the helm of Punjab Congress. Warring’s sharp rebuttal to Randhawa, his firm stand against any ‘compromised leader,’ and his visible role alongside Baghel underline his authority. The turbulence may have exposed fault lines, but the leadership question is settled: Warring remains the face of Punjab Congress as it heads into the Vidhan Sabha polls.