Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Punjab Congress Excludes Channi's Brother, Sparks Factional Tension
A meeting of the Indian National Congress in Punjab was held in Sirhind.
Dr Manohar Singh, the brother of former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, was not invited.
The party leader Bhupesh Baghel said Singh is not a Congress member because he ran as an independent before.
Some party workers think the move shows a fight inside the party and could hurt their motivation.
The incident has made people worry that the party is split between different groups led by Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Charanjit Singh Channi.
Dr Manohar Singh, brother of former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, was excluded from a Congress organisational meeting in Sirhind on the first day of Bhupesh Baghel's state tour.
Baghel said the exclusion was because Singh is not a Congress member, citing his previous independent candidacy.
Party activists, including Ishwarpreet Singh Sidhu, claim the move reflects factionalism and could demoralise grassroots workers.
Baghel and Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring emphasised party unity and criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government.
The incident has intensified speculation of a power struggle between factions led by Raja Warring and Channi within the Punjab Congress.
- Who
- Dr Manohar Singh, Bhupesh Baghel, Ishwarpreet Singh Sidhu, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring
- What
- Exclusion of Dr Manohar Singh from a Congress organisational meeting
- When
- First day of Bhupesh Baghel's nine‑day state tour
- Where
- Sirhind, Punjab
- Why
- Baghel said Singh is not a Congress member; activists claim factionalism
- Event
- Exclusion of Dr Manohar Singh from Congress meeting
- Key Figures
- Bhupesh Baghel, Dr Manohar Singh, Ishwarpreet Singh Sidhu, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring
- Location
- Sirhind, Punjab
- Date
- First day of Baghel's nine‑day state tour
- Political Context
- Punjab Assembly elections, factional tensions within Congress