New Delhi/Chandigarh: Ahead of a crucial Punjab Congress meeting in Delhi today (July 21) chaired by state in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, a video of former Chief Minister and MP Charanjit Singh Channi has gone viral, hinting at underlying internal rifts. The footage, reportedly from the Parliament premises during the first day of the Monsoon Session (July 20), shows senior Congress leaders ostensibly ignoring the former Punjab CM.

In the video, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are seen conversing, accompanied by party general secretary KC Venugopal. When Charanjit Singh Channi arrives, he bypasses the Gandhis and instead stands behind with Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla. Notably, neither Rahul nor Priyanka Gandhi appears to acknowledge Channi's presence during the interaction.

The Battle for the 'Real Boss' of Punjab Congress

The viral video has surfaced on the very day the Congress high command is set to resolve the leadership dynamics for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. The high-stakes meeting at Indira Bhavan, convened by Bhupesh Baghel, will bring the top brass of the Punjab Congress—including State President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and Sukhjinder Randhawa—under one roof.

This marks the first face-to-face encounter between Channi and Warring since their factionalism became public knowledge. While the official agenda is election preparation, party sources indicate that clear boundaries will be drawn for all leaders.

What to Expect from the Delhi Meeting:

• Warring to Retain Control: The Congress high command and Rahul Gandhi are reportedly not in favor of major organizational changes before the elections. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is expected to retain the state presidency, keeping overall command of the election campaign and committee coordination.

• Placating the Channi Faction: To balance the power dynamics, the high command may offer Channi a more prominent role in ticket distribution. He might also receive reassurances that his name will be considered for the Chief Ministerial face if the party secures a majority.

• All Eyes on Body Language: With both leaders in the same room, political observers will closely monitor the body language of Warring and Channi to gauge whether the internal conflict has been genuinely resolved or merely postponed.

• No Immediate CM Face Announcement: KC Venugopal is expected to deliver a clear message: the sole focus right now is winning the election. Announcing a CM face prematurely could shift focus from the organization to individual ambitions.

• Final Warning Against Indiscipline: The high command is prepared to issue a stern warning against public bickering. Any public statements, factionalism, or questioning of leadership post-meeting will invite strict disciplinary action. The party wants to operate strictly on a "One Command, One Message" strategy.

• The Ultimate Game Plan: The party aims to strike a balance between organizational stability and electoral appeasement. By keeping Warring at the helm of the organization and giving Channi a say in future ticket distribution, the high command's formula is clear: "One Command, Respect for All."

After the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, the Punjab Congress is now facing a major internal rebellion. In a dramatic turn of events, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa secretly reached Delhi and met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During this visit, he was spotted alongside BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, sparking heavy speculation of a potential split.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi has opened a front against the Congress high command after being denied the position of Punjab Congress President.

Channi Calls Emergency Meeting in Morinda

Expressing his dissatisfaction, Channi called an emergency meeting of Congress leaders at his residence in Morinda. The meeting saw a massive show of strength, with 25 prominent leaders, including three sitting MLAs, in attendance.

Key Leaders at Channi's Residence:

• Sitting MLAs: Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Kala Dhillon (Barnala), and Rana Gurjit (Kapurthala).

• Former Ministers & Senior Leaders: Former Deputy CM OP Soni, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurkirat Kotli, Gurpreet Kangar.

• Other Prominent Attendees: Nazar Singh Manshahia, Davinder Singh Ghubaya, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Lakhbir Lakha, Tarsem DC, Darshan Brar, Harminder Singh Gill, Madan Lal Jalalpur, former Youth Congress President Barinder Dhillon, Kamaljit Karwal, and former MP Mohammad Sadique.

The Root Cause: Retaining Raja Warring

The primary trigger for the rebellion is the Congress high command's decision to retain Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Chief ahead of the February 2027 assembly elections.

Channi's name was reportedly finalized for the state president post, but the sudden decision to retain Warring and appoint Channi merely as the Campaign Committee Chairman has left the former CM deeply offended. According to sources, Channi has not even formally thanked the high command for his new role.

Reactions and Internal Discord

A close aide of Channi, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the former CM is furious over the snub and is preparing for a direct confrontation. "He wants to do a show of strength to make the high command realize his political weight," the aide stated.

What the Leaders Are Saying:

• Darshan Brar (Former MLA): Stated bluntly that without making Channi the state president, the Congress cannot form the government in Punjab.

• Tarsem DC (Former MLA): Claimed the people of Punjab want to see Channi as the Chief Minister. However, in a contrasting statement to the media, he also claimed he wasn't officially invited by Channi, was unaware of the agenda, and suggested everyone should accept the high command's responsibilities and work together.

• Kuldeep Singh Vaid (Former MLA): Maintained a neutral stance, urging that the high command's decision must be respected and accepted by all factions.

With multiple factions displaying open dissent, the Congress high command faces an uphill battle to unify the Punjab unit ahead of the crucial 2027 state elections.