Partap Bajwa Meets Rahul Gandhi Over Punjab Congress Situation

Amid continuing factionalism in the Punjab Congress, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa met Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi outside Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday. The meeting, held in the presence of Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, focused on developments within the state unit ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The meeting followed a dinner gathering held on Tuesday at the Delhi residence of Gurdaspur MP and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi, Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, Bajwa, and MLAs Rana Gurjit Singh and Pargat Singh attended the meeting. According to party sources, the leaders discussed concerns within the Punjab Congress and the prevailing political situation.

Sources indicated that the leaders felt senior MPs and party representatives should approach the Congress high command and brief the central leadership about developments in Punjab. The group had reportedly asked Bajwa to secure an appointment with Gandhi after some of the leaders had sought a meeting with him but had not received time. The latest consultations reflect growing efforts among sections of the state unit to seek intervention from the central leadership.

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The development comes days after 15 Punjab Congress MLAs reportedly wrote to Gandhi seeking a meeting. A party legislator confirmed that the letter had been sent but did not disclose the specific issues that the legislators intended to raise. Ghubaya has also openly opposed Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, making his participation in the latest discussions significant as several leaders seek greater engagement with the party's central leadership.

Factional tensions became more visible during the Congress's 'Har Booth, Congress Mazboot' campaign held from July 31 to August 8. Supporters of Channi raised slogans in his favour, while verbal clashes were reported between groups supporting Channi and Warring at several meetings. Posters carrying the message "Go back Baghel" also appeared in Muktsar, Bathinda and other areas, adding to signs of internal discord.

The differences have intensified since the Congress leadership retained Warring as Punjab unit chief on July 1 while appointing Channi as chairperson of the party's campaign committee. Channi's supporters have been pressing for him to be projected as the Congress's chief ministerial candidate for the 2027 Assembly elections. With MPs, MLAs and senior leaders now seeking direct discussions with the high command, the response of the central leadership could have a significant bearing on the party's strategy in Punjab.

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