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."