Conflict over leadership in Punjab Congress, will the state president change the high command? Bhupesh Baghel cleared the air on Channi vs Vading.

Before the Punjab Assembly elections 2027, Congress is facing its biggest crisis, internal factionalism. The party high command is currently trying to keep the organization united. In this connection, in-charge of Punjab Congress and Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel Met Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal in New Delhi and submitted his report on the political situation in Punjab.

Before submitting the report, Bhupesh Baghel had to meet the leaders of different groups of the state and seek their opinion. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Pratap Singh Bajwa was also present in this meeting.

Punjab Congress President will not change for the time being?

According to sources, the Congress high command has currently Punjab State President Amarinder Singh Raja Warding No decision has been taken to remove it. However, different options are being discussed to take along the angry leaders of the party, so that there is no major loss in the organization before the elections.

After the meeting, Bhupesh Baghel clearly said, “Changing a state president is not a game of puppets.” He said that after talking to all the leaders, he has submitted his report to the party leadership and the final decision will be taken by the high command.

After all, how did the controversy start?

On July 11, Bhupesh Baghel had also met the leaders supporting former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. During this, the Channi camp placed three major demands before the party leadership,

1. Amarinder Singh Raja Warding should be removed from the post of Punjab Congress President.
2. Charanjit Singh Channi should be declared the chief ministerial face for the 2027 assembly elections.
3. Channi’s opinion should be given more importance in the distribution of tickets for the assembly elections.

Before the meeting, Channi had also indicated by saying ‘wait and watch’ that his camp is not going to back down on its demands.

Why does the high command not want to remove Vading?

Congress sources say that changing the state president just before the elections can be harmful for the organization. It is being told that 25 out of 29 district presidents of Punjab Congress, four MPs and 8-9 MLAs are in support of Raja Vading.

Vading has been leading the Punjab Congress for the last four and a half years and has gained a strong hold on the organization. In such a situation, change of leadership may affect election preparations.

What is the biggest challenge of Congress?

The tenure of Punjab Assembly is till March 2027. There is not much time left for the elections. Aam Aadmi Party is preparing to save power, BJP is also trying to strengthen its hold in the state. In such a situation, the biggest challenge before the Congress is to first end the factionalism within itself.

If the party is not able to unite the organization in time, then it can have a direct impact on its performance in the elections. This is the reason why at present, instead of changing the leadership, the Congress high command is working on the strategy of convincing the angry leaders and keeping the organization strong.