Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Punjab Congress Leadership Fight Pits Raja Warring Against Dissenters
The Congress party in Punjab is divided over who should lead it.
Raja Warring remained the state president after the party reviewed the issue.
Several leaders wanted former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi to replace him.
The party instead gave Channi responsibility for the campaign committee.
Some leaders were unhappy and said they would not share platforms with Warring.
Bhupesh Baghel was sent to help settle the disagreement.
Baghel argued that changing the president close to elections could hurt the party’s organisation.
Some workers then protested against Baghel because they believed he was protecting Warring.
The disagreement shows that Punjab Congress leaders have not reached a common position.
Bhupesh Baghel was appointed Punjab Congress in-charge in early 2025 and told to maintain the existing leadership.
Several leaders sought Charanjit Singh Channi’s appointment as state president, challenging Raja Warring’s continuation.
Congress retained Raja Warring as president on July 1 and made Channi campaign committee chief.
Disgruntled leaders, including Pratap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, reportedly refused to share stages with Warring.
Baghel defended continuity before elections but later faced protests and “Baghel Go Back” slogans in Punjab.
- Who
- Punjab Congress leaders, including Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, Bhupesh Baghel, Pratap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
- What
- A dispute over whether Raja Warring should continue as Punjab Congress president.
- When
- The dispute intensified in early 2025; the party announced its decision on July 1.
- Where
- Punjab, including Chandigarh and locations where Baghel held meetings.
- Why
- Some leaders opposed Warring’s leadership and sought a change, while Baghel and the high command cited organisational continuity before elections.
Continuity Supporters
Leadership Change Advocates
Whether to replace Raja Warring
Continuity Supporters
Baghel and the party leadership were described as favouring continuity, with Baghel arguing that replacing the president before elections could disrupt the organisation built under Warring.
Leadership Change Advocates
Several Punjab Congress leaders opposed Warring’s leadership and pressed the high command to appoint Charanjit Singh Channi or another alternative.
Assessment of Warring’s leadership
Continuity Supporters
Supporters pointed to Warring’s retained assembly seat, later Lok Sabha victory in Ludhiana and relationships with the Delhi leadership as reasons for his strong position.
Leadership Change Advocates
Senior leaders objected to his style of functioning and rhetoric and reportedly said they would not share a stage with him.
Who should replace Warring
Continuity Supporters
The leadership reportedly considered Vijay Inder Singla, a prominent Hindu face considered close to the Delhi leadership, but concluded the anti-Warring faction lacked consensus after Channi sought the role.
Leadership Change Advocates
Channi’s supporters cited survey feedback that reportedly favoured him and his status as a prominent Dalit leader.
- Punjab in-charge
- Bhupesh Baghel was appointed Congress in-charge for Punjab in early 2025.
- State president
- Raja Warring was retained as Punjab Congress president on July 1.
- Campaign committee
- Charanjit Singh Channi was appointed head of the campaign committee.
- Leadership demand
- Several leaders sought Channi’s appointment as state president.
- Reported protest
- Posters reading “Baghel Go Back” appeared at some locations during his Punjab visits.
- Proposed alternative
- Congress sources said Vijay Inder Singla’s name had been finalised for the presidency in June before the plan changed.