Channi flexes muscle; buzz over Randhawa-Amit Shah meeting raises fresh questions over Punjab Congress unity

The Punjab Congress appears headed for another bout of internal turbulence ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, as former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi staged a show of strength while speculation grew over a possible meeting between Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

The twin developments have intensified political chatter over the party’s internal dynamics, days after the Congress high command retained Ludhiana MP Amarinder Raja Warring as president of the Punjab Congress. The decision has reportedly disappointed several senior leaders who were expecting a change in the state leadership ahead of the Assembly elections.

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According to political sources, Randhawa travelled to New Delhi without making any public statement. While there has been no official confirmation from either side, political circles have been abuzz with speculation that the senior Congress leader may meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Randhawa, who was appointed chairman of the party’s core committee instead of being named state president, did not speak to the media about his visit, adding to speculation over his political move.

At the same time, Channi, who was also considered a strong contender for the post of Punjab Congress chief, convened an emergency meeting of party leaders at his residence in Morinda. The meeting, attended by senior MPs, MLAs, former ministers and former legislators, was widely seen as an attempt to demonstrate his political strength after he was overlooked for the organisational post.

Leaders who attended the meeting included MLA Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, former Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni, former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, former MP Mohammad Sadiq, former MLAs Gurpreet Kangar, Nazar Singh Manshahia, Davinder Singh Ghubaya, Inderbir Singh Bullaria, Lakhbir Singh Lakha, Tarsem DC, Darshan Brar, Harminder Singh Gill, Madan Lal Jalalpur, former Youth Congress president Barinder Dhillon and Kamaljit Karwal. More party leaders continued to arrive as deliberations progressed.

Sources close to Channi said the meeting was convened to discuss the political situation in Punjab and the party’s future strategy. They indicated that the former chief minister could take key organisational and political decisions after consulting his supporters.

Speaking to reporters on arriving at the meeting, former MLA Darshan Brar said Channi enjoys widespread support among party workers and claimed that the Congress would struggle to return to power in Punjab if he was not given a larger leadership role in the state organisation.

Although Channi was appointed chairman of the party’s campaign committee, party insiders said he remained dissatisfied after not being chosen as Punjab Congress president. Sources close to him claimed he has not publicly thanked the party high command for his new responsibility and is keen to demonstrate his political influence before the central leadership.

Political observers note that the post of Punjab Congress president has traditionally carried considerable importance because it often strengthens a leader’s claim to the chief minister’s post if the party forms the government. They point to previous elections in which the party’s state chief went on to become chief minister after leading the Congress to victory.

Observers also note that differences between the Channi camp and Raja Warring over the party’s organisational leadership have been visible for some time. Supporters of Channi have repeatedly argued for a change in leadership, maintaining that the state unit requires a fresh direction ahead of the next Assembly election.

The response of several leaders considered close to Channi has also fuelled speculation. MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh, MLA Pargat Singh, former Deputy Chief Minister O.P. Soni and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu have not publicly welcomed the high command’s decision to retain Warring. A recent social media post by Rana Gurjeet Singh featuring a Punjabi song has also sparked political discussion, with many interpreting it as a signal of support for Channi’s position.

With Channi rallying his supporters and speculation over Randhawa’s possible meeting with Amit Shah continuing, fresh questions have emerged over the Punjab Congress’s internal cohesion as the party prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections. However, there has been no official confirmation of any meeting between Randhawa and Shah, and neither leader has commented publicly on the speculation.