Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Randhawa Contradicts Punjab Congress Chief Over Family Election Tickets
There is a big political party in India called the Congress party, and it has an important office in a state called Punjab.
A leader in charge of the party there, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, said that one family should only get one chance to run for election.
Another leader, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, said something different at a big meeting.
He said that if people from a family are good at winning elections, they could get even four chances.
The two leaders disagreeing in public surprised many people.
A former state leader, Charanjit Singh Channi, stood next to Mr. Randhawa at the meeting, but Mr. Warring did not come.
Mr. Channi said the party wants to win the state election in 2027.
He said winning in Punjab would help Rahul Gandhi become the leader of the whole country's government.
People think this shows that leaders inside the party do not agree with each other.
Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa publicly contradicted Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring's stance against giving multiple election tickets to one family.
Randhawa said candidates capable of winning could get even four tickets, responding to Warring's vow that one family will get only one ticket.
Former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi shared the stage with Randhawa at Issru near Khanna, while Warring was absent from the event.
Channi said winning Punjab in 2027 would lay the foundation for a Rahul Gandhi-led government at the Centre.
Channi and rally organiser Gurkirat Singh Kotli also demanded the release of 'Bandi Singhs' (Sikh political prisoners) who have completed their jail terms.
- Who
- Congress leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi at a rally organised in support of Congress leader Gurkirat Singh Kotli, with Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring absent.
- What
- Randhawa publicly contradicted Warring's ticket-distribution stance, saying families with winning candidates could get even four tickets, as Channi called for winning Punjab in 2027 to back Rahul Gandhi.
- When
- Saturday, at the party's annual Independence Day conference at Issru, ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
- Where
- Issru near Khanna, in Ludhiana district, Punjab, India.
- Why
- Deepening factionalism in the Punjab Congress over ticket-distribution policy and the rivalry between the Warring and Channi camps.
Warring's Reform Stance
Randhawa's Counter Stance
Multiple election tickets to one family
Warring's Reform Stance
Warring publicly opposes giving multiple tickets to members of the same family, saying one family will get only one ticket, and warns he may not give tickets to those who were hand in glove with the BJP.
Randhawa's Counter Stance
Randhawa says those who have the capability to win will get even four tickets, accusing Warring of ignoring the sentiments of common workers and making a mockery of the party in public.
Party face for the 2027 polls
Warring's Reform Stance
The party high command retained Warring as state president for the 2027 polls, and Warring says he is the one who must recommend tickets.
Randhawa's Counter Stance
Channi's supporters, including Kotli, want Channi to be the party's face for the 2027 polls; Channi and Randhawa shared the stage in a show of unity while Warring stayed away.
- Event
- Congress annual conference at Issru near Khanna
- Key dispute
- Whether multiple election tickets should be given to members of the same family
- Randhawa's stance
- 'Those who have the capability to win will get even four tickets'
- Warring's stance
- 'Till Warring is here, only family will get only one ticket, not two'
- Channi's message
- Winning Punjab in 2027 will lay the foundation for a Rahul Gandhi-led government at the Centre
- Bandi Singhs demand
- Release Sikh political prisoners who have completed their jail terms
- Rally purpose
- Support for Congress leader Gurkirat Singh Kotli
- Context
- Factionalism between the Warring and Channi camps in Punjab Congress
