Amid growing infighting within the Punjab Congress unit, general secretary in charge of the state Bhupesh Baghel continued his pre‑scheduled meetings with party leaders on Tuesday, though those backing former chief minister and Lok Sabha MP Charanjit Singh Channi for the state unit chief's post have yet to meet him.

Baghel, who arrived in Chandigarh on Monday, had told reporters that he would be given two to three days to meet working presidents, office bearers, district unit presidents and senior leaders before briefing the media on the internal situation.

On Tuesday, when asked that no one from the so‑called "Channi group" had come to see him, he quipped, "What did I say yesterday? I am here this week. Give me 2–3 days time and then I will speak to you. Give me time and allow me to work and then I will get back."

Talks with Channi camp expected soon

State Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, meanwhile, said that Channi would meet Baghel “in a day or two”.

Warring noted that on Monday, Baghel had held meetings with chairpersons of various committees, barring two: Channi, who is the party’s campaign committee chairperson, and core committee chairperson Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

“Channi has told Baghel that he will be out for a day or two,” Warring said.

Earlier in the day, Baghel had a breakfast meeting with state Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka. Separately, Verka also met Channi, underscoring efforts by the party leadership to reach out to the “dissident” camp led by the Lok Sabha member.

Warring's retention as state chief the trigger?

The current tensions erupted after the party announced last Wednesday that Warring would be retained as Punjab Congress chief, alongside the unveiling of the party’s various committees for the 2027 polls.

That decision came days after several incumbent and former MLAs threw their weight behind Channi, calling for him to be reconsidered for the state unit chief’s post.

On Monday, a group of senior leaders held a meeting in Mohali with Channi present, reflecting the scale of the internal challenge.

Verka and Bajwa urge unity

State working president Verka, speaking to reporters, insisted that all issues would be resolved. “There is no problem at all and things will be resolved,” he said.

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also admitted that there may be internal problems within the state unit but stressed that all could be sorted out. He suggested that whatever their issues, leaders should ensure that no one crosses the “Lakshman rekha”.

Bajwa contrasted the two national parties, saying that in Congress there is more internal democracy, while in the BJP, even minor deviations are not tolerated. He described Channi as “like a younger brother” and said differences exist in every party but should not be made public.

Focus on polls and deteriorating law and order

With Punjab set to go to polls early next year, Bajwa urged the party to deal with irritants at the earliest. He said he had held a detailed discussion with Baghel on Monday and told him to try to resolve issues at his level, with higher‑level intervention only where needed.

Bajwa highlighted deteriorating law and order and the drug issue as the biggest concerns for voters. “People of Punjab want change and viable alternative is Congress,” he said.

"If we are together then people will see towards us. When we form government, only then can anyone become chief minister, deputy chief minister and hold other positions. If we don't live up to people’s expectations, then we have to sit in the opposition," he added.

He also said that if a situation warrants where any state leader may need to make a sacrifice in the party’s interest, there is no loss in that.

(PTI)