The rescheduled meeting follows recent organisational changes in the Punjab Congress, with senior leaders insisting there is no deadlock and saying the party high command is actively engaged in resolving outstanding issues before the 2027 Assembly polls.
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi. (Photo: IANS)
A crucial meeting between senior Punjab Congress leaders led by former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and All India Congress Committee (AICC) Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel has been pushed back by a day and will now be held on Saturday at 11 am, according to sources.
The postponement comes at a time when the Punjab Congress is attempting to contain speculation over internal differences following recent organisational changes. The discussions are being closely watched as the party prepares for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
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On Thursday, Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Pargat Singh, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurkirat Singh Kotli and Barindermeet Singh Pahra met and sought to present a united front despite reports of differences within the state unit.
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Speaking after the meeting, Randhawa said differing opinions did not weaken the party’s unity.
“Today, Pargat Singh has given a clear message that there may be differences in opinions, but Congress stands together,” he told reporters.
Pargat Singh said the party leadership was aware of the developments and efforts were underway to resolve outstanding issues.
“The party high command is in the loop. We are talking to resolve things,” he said.
Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh described the meeting as encouraging and said party leaders discussed the political course ahead.
“Congress leaders, including Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Pargat Singh, and others, met today. Congress party will not sit silently. We will raise our voice against anything that goes against democracy. The meeting today boosted my morale. We had a strategic discussion,” Rana said.
He said the discussions also covered possible next steps, including legal options and public outreach.
“Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Pargat Singh, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurkirat Kotli and Barindermeet Singh Pahra visited me together today and said that the Congress party would not sit idly by. If there is any subversion of democracy, we must raise our voices against it. That is the strategy the Congress party must adopt. They have boosted my morale, and I thanked them. We were discussing whether to knock on the court’s door or organise a major event to address the situation,” he said.
Rana also rejected suggestions of a deadlock within the party.
“I haven’t spoken to Baghel. As for Suraj Thakur, our secretary, I have spoken to him. Where is the deadlock? All is Well. No one is outside the purview of the High Command. Everything will be fine when the time comes,” he said.
The latest developments follow Baghel’s statement that he would meet Channi and Randhawa after the two leaders skipped a key party meeting earlier.
Baghel had also defended the decisions of the Congress high command, saying they were final, and backed the reappointment of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president. He had dismissed speculation about divisions within the Punjab unit.
Meanwhile, Channi and several leaders had reportedly travelled to Delhi to convey their concerns over the recent leadership changes.
Earlier, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had rejected reports of infighting and said Channi remained committed to the party and was prepared to make any sacrifice for its interests.
The leadership issue has unfolded alongside the Congress party’s continuing political confrontation with the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab.
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