The internal differences within the Punjab Congress have intensified ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections and the ongoing rift between Punjab Congress President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is now becoming increasingly visible at public events, with supporters of both leaders openly expressing their views.
The latest incident took place during a Congress event in Bathinda, where Raja Warring attempted to highlight what he claimed was Channi's lack of engagement with party workers. During the event, some supporters were raising slogans in favour of Channi and instead of stopping them immediately, Warring invited one of the supporters onto the stage and asked him to raise the slogans again.
Following Warring's instructions, the supporter shouted slogans praising both Charanjit Singh Channi and the Congress party, following which then Warring asked the supporter to call Channi and tell him that he had come to disrupt the Congress programme.
The supporter dialled Channi's number while standing on the stage. Warring switched the phone to speaker mode and held it close to the microphone so that everyone present could hear the conversation, however, Channi did not answer the call.
After waiting for a response, Warring sarcastically remarked that Channi must be busy and asked the supporter to give Channi his number so that he could return the call later.
Political observers believe the situation could have taken a different turn had Channi answered the phone. If Channi had spoken to the supporter during the programme, it could have created an impression that people disrupting the Congress event were in direct contact with him, however, no such conversation took place as the call remained unanswered.
The incident comes at a time when differences between the two senior Congress leaders are already under public scrutiny, Channi has stayed away from several party programmes organised under Raja Warring's leadership, while Warring has repeatedly defended his own role in strengthening the party organisation.
Ahead of Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel's visit to Muktsar and Bathinda, posters opposing him appeared at several places in Muktsar, which is Raja Warring's home district and large flex banners portrayed Baghel as British-era officer General Dyer and carried the slogan "Go Back Baghel."
Alongside these posters, banners supporting former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi were also put up, these carried the slogan "Remove Raja and Baghel, Save Congress." The posters added to speculation about growing dissatisfaction within a section of the Punjab Congress.