No change in leadership of Punjab Congress unit, says Bhupesh Baghel

“The party high command has taken the decision and there will be no change,” Congress chief and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said. File | Photo credit: PTI

Amid ongoing power struggles in the Punjab Congress, party state in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday ruled out a leadership change, saying Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will continue as Punjab president even as party leaders seek to resolve lingering issues through dialogue.

Mr Baghel’s remark came as internal disputes over control of power in the Punjab Congress intensify ahead of assembly polls due in early 2027.

“Once the high (party) command takes a decision, it will not change,” Mr. Baghel said in response to the media on the possibility of a change in state leadership. Asserting that the repeated changes of leadership decision was no child’s play, he said Mr. Warring would continue as the Punjab Pradesh Congress president.

The All India Congress Committee reorganized the Punjab unit on 1 July. While Mr Warring was retained as PPCC chief, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was appointed to head the campaign committee ahead of the Assembly elections. Mr Channi, who is currently a Congress MP, is said to be upset with the reshuffle. Together with a faction of his supporters, he reportedly pressed for a meeting with the party’s central leadership. Mr Baghel said he would meet Mr Channi soon.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla met Mr. Channi and pointed out that senior party leaders were making sincere efforts to resolve the lingering issues through dialogue.

“Today I met former Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi. Earlier I also had constructive meetings with Punjab leader Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Several senior leaders are sincerely trying to resolve the lingering issues through dialogue and strengthen unity for the sake of Punjab and Party X,” he said at the party.

Meanwhile, Mr. Baghel convened a meeting at the Punjab Congress Bhawan here with Congress leaders and officials in which detailed discussions were held on strengthening the organization from the booth level, improving coordination with workers and speeding up preparations for the 2027 Punjab elections.

Published – 8 Jul 2026 13:51 IST