Will Congress Repeat Its Infighting History In Punjab? All Eyes Are On High Command's Decision Ahead Of Rahul Gandhi's Visit

Jagran State Bureau, Chandigarh | The biggest challenge currently facing the Congress in poll-bound Punjab is not from the rivals - Aam Aadmi Party or Shiromani Akali Dal - but the growing factionalism within the party. Congress supporters are expecting that party leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Punjab will resolve the infighting ahead of the crucial state assembly election set to be held in 2027.

Protests, sloganeering, and postering at events organised by state Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring have exposed the internal strife.

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Over the past ten days, the situation has become tense after protests and sloganeering were seen at meetings held in various districts of Punjab. Baghel is currently on a tour of Punjab and is meeting with Congress workers at the block and district levels in 18 districts.

Attempts To Keep All Factions Together

The biggest question is whether the Congress high command will take strict action against the indiscipline shown by Charanjit Singh Channi supporters at party events. There are indications within the party that the high command will try to control the conflict and keep all factions together rather than pursue a leadership change.

During his visit to Chandigarh in July, Baghel made it clear that the decision to retain Raja Warring as state president had been made and that there was no question of a leadership change.

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Warding and Pratap Singh Bajwa are leading the Punjab Congress, while supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi are constantly expressing their displeasure. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is also seeking a stronger role within the party.

How Will Channi Factor Play Out?

Channi also faces difficult political choices. Leaving the Congress could be risky for him, while remaining within the party and engaging in conflict with the current leadership could lead him to be victimised by the factional politics. The Congress has previously faced uncomfortable situations due to the outspoken and independent politics of leaders like Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Allegations and protests regarding "RSS sleeper cells" during Bhupesh Baghel's Punjab visit have further fueled the controversy. According to party sources, Baghel will soon submit a report on the entire incident to the high command. All eyes in the Punjab Congress are now on Gandhi. The high command is trying to defuse the controversy ahead of his possible visit to Punjab.

The Chances Of State Leadership Change Are Currently Low

At present, no faction has openly expressed dissatisfaction with Gandhi. This is why his role could be crucial in bringing all factions together. The chances of Warring's removal from the Congress party appear low, as the high command recently reiterated its decision to retain him.

In such a situation, the nature of action could range from organisational discipline, reshuffling of responsibilities, or politically sidelining certain leaders rather than a leadership change.

It is worth noting that Congress has a long-standing tradition of not always ousting leaders who openly oppose the party; rather, they are often given a limited role in the organisation to maintain balance. Similar political situations have also been witnessed at various times with leaders like Manish Tewari.

Internal strife within the Congress has been surfacing in other states, including Karnataka. Therefore, the situation in Punjab is new for the Congress, but not unprecedented. However, direct slogans and posters against the Punjab in-charge have certainly escalated the controversy.

The biggest disadvantage at this time is that, just when the Congress was exploring the possibility of a comeback against the Aam Aadmi Party in 2027, its own leaders are seen pitted against each other.

If this conflict does not end soon, confusion among the party workers, weakness in the organisation, and fragmentation in the election strategy are sure to directly impact the Congress's election preparations.

Therefore, the biggest challenge facing Gandhi and the Congress high command in the coming days will not be strengthening the organisation, but rather preventing the Punjab Congress from disintegrating.