Chandigarh: The threat of a split looms over the Punjab Congress ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. A crucial meeting lasting nearly two hours took place between the rebel Congress faction led by former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi, and AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel at Rana Gurjit's residence in Chandigarh. Baghel, who arrived about an hour and fifteen minutes late for the scheduled 11:00 AM meeting, is set to leave for Delhi today.

"Will Protect Everyone's Interests," Says Baghel

Following the meeting, Bhupesh Baghel addressed the media, stating:

"I have been in Chandigarh for 5 days and have met all the leaders. Today, I was invited by Rana Gurjit. I spoke to all our colleagues; they shared their views. No one has any objection to the party high command's decisions."

Baghel added that he assured the leaders that, as the in-charge, he would safeguard everyone's interests. "Those who are capable of winning will definitely get tickets. No one should feel they lack backing. I will submit my complete report to the high command," he stated.

Channi Faction's Show of Strength and Demands

Despite the high command’s instructions for Channi to meet with only 2-3 leaders, around 80 leaders from his faction gathered, putting on a massive show of strength.

• Primary Demand: The rebel faction demanded that if Charanjit Channi is not appointed as the state president, he must be declared the Chief Ministerial face for the 2027 elections to consolidate votes in Punjab.

• The high command has already clarified that Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will not be removed from the president's post. Notably, on Channi's condition, PPCC President Raja Warring was not invited to this meeting.

Raja Warring's Response & Zira’s Cryptic Post

While the meeting was underway, PPCC President Raja Warring downplayed his absence, stating, "I am not attending the meeting. The General Secretary in-charge acts as a mediator. It is not necessary for the president to go everywhere. There is unity in Congress, which is why this meeting is happening."

Meanwhile, Warring loyalist and former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira shared a cryptic photo with the caption: "No matter how many jackals and other animals are in the jungle, there is only one lion. Even alone, he rules the entire jungle." This is being seen as a direct message amidst the political tussle.

2 Major Developments Before the Meeting

1. Support from Buta Singh's Family: On Friday, the son of late former Union Home Minister Buta Singh met Channi in Morinda and publicly demanded that Channi be made the CM face. This move is seen as a pressure tactic, especially after Raja Warring's recent objectionable comments about late Buta Singh during the Tarn Taran by-election.

2. Baghel’s Stern Warning: Before the meeting, Baghel sent a clear message to the Channi faction that strict action would be taken if lines were crossed. Terming it "not a child’s play," Baghel made it clear that the high command's decision is final.

Why Did Baghel Meet Channi After 4 Days?

The Channi faction is reportedly unwilling to fight the 2027 elections under Raja Warring's leadership. When the high command retained Warring, the disgruntled Channi faction initially boycotted Baghel and sought a direct meeting with Rahul Gandhi. Denied an immediate appointment, the high command instructed both Channi and Baghel to hold this meeting. Baghel will now submit his report to Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and KC Venugopal.

Expert Opinion: "Congress Cannot Sideline Channi"

• Prof. Dr. Krishan Kumar Rattu (Political Expert): Charanjit Singh Channi is a prominent Dalit-Sikh leader. Keeping the 32% Dalit vote bank in Punjab in mind, it is not easy for the Congress high command to sideline him.

• Pramod Batish (Senior Journalist): No final decision will come from this meeting as Baghel lacks the authority to resolve the Channi faction's core grievances. If the high command does not find a middle ground after consulting Rahul Gandhi, the party may head towards a split.

Former Punjab minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has received a major relief from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court granted him bail today (February 2). This information was given by party spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kaler. Majithia has been imprisoned in Nabha jail in Patiala for about 7 months in a disproportionate assets case.

Upon receiving bail, supporters celebrated by bursting firecrackers outside Majithia's house in Amritsar. Meanwhile, Dera Beas chief Gurinder Singh Dhillon visited him at Nabha jail today. During this visit, the Dera Beas chief spoke to the journalists present for the first time. He said that everything is wrong. The things that happen inside are not all revealed.

On the other hand, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that getting bail does not mean acquittal. There is strong evidence against Majithia, which will be presented in court.

Bikram Majithia is the brother of Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the MP wife of former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal. Majithia's wife, Ganeev Kaur Majithia, is currently the MLA from the Majitha constituency for the Akali Dal.

What happened during the bail hearing in the Supreme Court…

Majithia's lawyer, Muralidhar: He (Majithia) has been in custody for 7 months in this case.
Justice J. Nath: Where is Mr. Siddharth Dave? He wanted to object.

Advocate Muralidhar: Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave is appearing in another court.

(The bench asked Muralidhar to begin his arguments.)

Advocate Muralidhar: In the NDPS case, they (the government) filed an additional affidavit. They wanted to say that they had traced the proceeds of that crime. The State's SLP was dismissed. The same material became the basis of the disproportionate assets case. They have now decided to create a new case. This is political vendetta. According to them, no further investigation is needed. There are 295 witnesses. There is no hope of the trial being completed anytime soon.

Justice Nath (to the State): Why do you want to keep him in jail?
Advocate Dave: Narco money has been transferred. Rs 790 crore is unaccounted for.

Justice J. Mehta: Seize the entire amount.
Advocate Dave: The investigation is ongoing. It has been completed regarding him. Threats are being received. The accused's brother-in-law is the former Deputy CM of Punjab. The SP was threatened. The investigating officers were threatened.

Justice Mehta: Have you taken any action regarding the threats?
Advocate Dave: It has been filed in court.

The court granted bail to Majithia.

The court said in its order that considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we are inclined to grant bail. Especially considering that the petitioner was granted bail in a previous NDPS case in 2022, against which the State's SLP was dismissed by this Court. Furthermore, the petitioner has been in custody for the last 7 months and the police report under Section 173(2) has already been filed.

The court also said that the DA case pertains to the check period of 2007-2017, and the FIR under the PC Act was registered in 2025. It will be open for the prosecution to press upon the trial court to impose stringent conditions as deemed necessary while releasing the petitioner on bail.

Advocate Dave: No trial outside. Please impose that condition.

Now read the full case related to Majithia…

Majithia has been in jail since June 25: Bikram Majithia, a three-time MLA, was arrested on June 25, 2025, after raids were conducted at his Amritsar residence and 25 other locations in the early hours of the morning. The vigilance team seized digital devices, property documents, and financial records during the raids. 7-Day Police Remand Granted: On June 26, a Mohali court sent him to 7-day police remand, which was later extended by another 4 days. He was then sent to judicial custody on July 6. He is currently lodged in Nabha jail. He spent Raksha Bandhan, Dussehra, and Diwali in jail.
40,000-Page Charge Sheet and 200 Witnesses: The Vigilance Bureau filed a detailed charge sheet on August 22, which includes over 40,000 pages of documentary evidence and statements from more than 200 witnesses. This case is linked to the ED's 2013 investigation that uncovered a ₹6,000 crore synthetic drug racket.
Former DSP Jagdish Singh Named Him: The mastermind of the racket was former DSP Jagdish Singh Bhola, who named Majithia during questioning. Although the courts later dismissed the drug-related charges, the current case focuses on corruption and money laundering.
₹700 Crore Worth of Assets Mentioned in the Charge Sheet: The Vigilance Bureau revealed illegal and benami (proxy) assets worth ₹700 crore in the charge sheet. The charge sheet was prepared after investigating 15 locations in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The charge sheet also includes statements from several Akali and BJP leaders. Meanwhile, it is being claimed that the Vigilance Bureau filed the charge sheet on time.
What Dera Beas chief Dhillon said after meeting Majithia…

Question: Baba Ji, you came to meet him, what would you say?
Answer: He is my friend, I will meet him.

Question: How did you feel after meeting him?
Answer: He is very good, he is happy.

Question: How do you see it, there are drug allegations against him?
Answer: Everything is false.

Question: You have been meeting him regularly.
Answer: So, if you have a relative, wouldn't you go to meet them?

Question: What kind of conversations took place during the meeting? Answer - Just like we talk to our friends.

Question - Did Majithia Sahib give any message for his family or wife?
Answer -  Not all the private conversations are revealed.

Question - How do you view the drug case that has been filed?
Answer - It's all wrong.

Question - How do you feel about the government or the agency...?