Amid internal discussions within the Congress leadership, reports emerging from Delhi indicate that churning at the senior level is possible in the Punjab Congress.
Punjab Congress’s Current Power Structure
At present, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is serving as the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), a position he has held for the past four years. Partap Singh Bajwa is the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, while former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is the MP from Gurdaspur and also the AICC general secretary in-charge of Rajasthan affairs. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi represents Jalandhar in the Lok Sabha and is also a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).
Rahul Gandhi Reviews Punjab Congress Strategy
According to reliable sources in the Congress, with just a little over eight months left for the Punjab Assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi has sought detailed feedback from his core team regarding the functioning and future strategy of the Punjab Congress. It is learnt that Gandhi is keen on introducing certain key changes to ensure that the party contests the elections as a “cohesive unit” without any “internal bickering”.
High Command’s Push for Discipline
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier this year, when Channi had publicly stated that Dalits were not getting due representation in the party, all top Punjab Congress leaders were summoned to Delhi and issued strict instructions against discussing internal party matters in the media. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs is
Bhupesh Baghel, along with AICC general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal, had categorically stated that anyone violating “party discipline” would be dealt with strictly, irrespective of his or her stature in the organisation. Later, during his visit to Punjab, Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Barnala, had publicly remarked that all Congress leaders must “play as a team” and warned that those not adhering to party discipline would be “asked to sit on the bench.”
Factionalism Still Persists Within the State Unit
Though these developments helped the Congress avoid negative publicity arising out of “unwarranted statements” by state leaders — something that could have proved “disastrous” ahead of the elections — the reality is that “factionalism” within the Punjab Congress continues to persist.
Race for Key Organisational Posts Intensifies
The primary issue of contention remains the post of Chief Minister in the event of the party returning to power in the 2027 Assembly elections. As of now, the Congress high command is neither interested in projecting a chief ministerial face nor willing to privately assure any individual leader about the possibility of occupying the coveted post. In this backdrop, a few senior Punjab Congress leaders are now reportedly eyeing the post of PPCC president, potentially replacing Raja Warring.
The logic behind this move stems from the long-standing political perception that, more often than not, the PPCC chief eventually emerges as the Chief Ministerial choice if the party wins the election. Warring, who also represents Ludhiana in the Lok Sabha, has repeatedly maintained that he is not in the race for the Chief Minister’s post and would continue to serve as a “loyal soldier” of the party even if he is replaced as the PPCC president.
Delhi Working on New Power Formula
Amid all this, sources close to Rahul Gandhi claim that the Congress leadership in Delhi is working on a formula to accommodate two of its senior-most Punjab leaders — one as the PPCC president and the other as Chairman of the Campaign Committee.
The post of Campaign Committee Chairman is also considered crucial ahead of elections, as the person appointed to the role wields considerable influence over the party’s election campaign and also enjoys a significant say in ticket distribution.
Several Senior Leaders Said to Be in Contention
While the exact names of the contenders for these positions remain unclear, sources indicate that at least half a dozen senior leaders, including Partap Bajwa, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Charanjit Singh Channi, former Punjab Cabinet Minister Vijay Inder Singla besides incumbent PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, are in the fray.
Bhupesh Baghel’s Role Seen as Crucial
It is also learnt that any reshuffle in the Punjab Congress is likely to carry the stamp of Bhupesh Baghel.
A Political Reset May Be Around the Corner
Now, when the Congress high command decides to make a formal announcement remains to be seen, but one thing appears certain — a shake-up in the Punjab Congress is likely on the cards.
(The author is the Editor of the website www.thenewsgateway.com. Views expressed are personal.)
