Randhawa Meets Amit Shah As Punjab Congress Leaders Back Channi For Top Post

Fresh signs of internal divisions emerged within the Punjab Congress on Friday as a section of party leaders rallied behind former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, urging the central leadership to appoint him as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and reconsider the organisational reshuffle announced earlier this week. The developments come as the party prepares for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with the Aam Aadmi Party currently in power in the state.

The political developments coincided with a meeting between Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, triggering speculation over its political significance. However, both Randhawa and senior Congress leaders maintained that the meeting was related to security concerns and dismissed suggestions of any political realignment. The meeting nevertheless fuelled discussions within political circles amid the ongoing turbulence in the Punjab Congress.

Earlier this week, the Congress high command announced a revamped organisational structure aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the Assembly polls. Under the new arrangement, Randhawa and Channi were appointed as chairpersons of two separate election-related committees. However, the reshuffle retained Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the PPCC president and Partap Singh Bajwa as the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, a decision that appears to have dissatisfied a section of the party.

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In a show of support for Channi, around 60 Congress leaders gathered at his residence in Chamkaur Sahib on Friday. The meeting was attended by four sitting MLAs, 18 former legislators, and several former ministers, who reportedly demanded that the party leadership reconsider its recent organisational decisions. Those present argued that Channi's leadership and grassroots appeal would strengthen the Congress ahead of the next Assembly election and improve its electoral prospects against the ruling AAP.

The developments underscore the challenges facing the Punjab Congress as it attempts to project unity before a crucial electoral battle. While the party leadership has sought to balance responsibilities through its committee appointments, the growing demand for a leadership change suggests unresolved differences within the state unit. With the Assembly elections approaching, how the Congress central leadership responds to these competing demands could play a significant role in shaping the party's strategy and internal cohesion in Punjab.

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