Patiala/Sangrur | Infighting in the Punjab Congress showed no signs of easing as supporters of former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday caused an uproar by raising slogans in his favour during two programmes of the party's district units in Patiala and Sangrur.
AICC general secretary in charge of the state Bhupesh Baghel, who was present during the incidents, asserted that the Congress high command will decide the party's chief ministerial candidate and ministers after the Punjab Assembly elections, which are due early next year.
As the leadership tussle between the camps led by Channi and Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring intensified, Baghel, who had on Friday dismissed any factionalism in the party's state unit, warned that whosoever indulges in indiscipline will be shown the door.
Warring said that former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur has been suspended for his utterances against the senior party leaders.
Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi later visited the residence of Jalalpur and appealed to the party leadership to revoke his suspension.
Jalalpur is considered to be among the party leaders aligned with the Channi camp.
Significantly, Channi stayed away from the district Congress committee programme at Patiala attended by Baghel and Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Saturday.
Several other senior leaders, including MP Amar Singh and Brahm Mohindra, were present at the party's 'Har Booth, Congress Mazboot' programme.
Soon after Warring began his speech, Channi's supporters started raising slogans such as "Charanjit Singh Channi zindabad", "Channi teri soch te pehra deyange thok ke" and "Channi liyao, Punjab bachao", briefly disrupting the proceedings.
A visibly angry Warring repeatedly appealed to the workers to maintain discipline and allow the meeting to continue. But despite his requests, slogan shouting continued for some time before the programme could resume.
Senior leaders, including Baghel, were seen observing the developments, while other leaders tried to pacify the workers.
Similar scenes were witnessed at the Sangrur programme where a group of Channi supporters raised slogans in his favour and against Baghel.
Tensions escalated when several supporters of Channi clashed verbally with other party workers.
However, Warring accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of sending people to disturb the Congress programme in Sangrur. "Channi did not send these people. He is our crown," said Warring in Sangrur.
Calling for unity in the party, Baghel said smaller differences are part of every party which can be sorted out for the bigger battle that the Congress has to fight against AAP, BJP and Akalis.
He expressed confidence that the party will emerge stronger in the assembly elections as everyone had a common goal to see a Congress government in Punjab.
In his address, Warring underlined the need to strengthen the party, and said no matter how popular a leader may be, he or she may not be able to win unless the party is strong at the grassroots level.
After meeting Jalalpur, Channi said he would personally raise the matter with Warring and the party leadership.
"Madan Lal Jalalpur is my brother. He is an asset and such leaders should not be sidelined," Channi said.
He also pointed to the suspension and exit of several senior Congress leaders in recent years, saying the party should avoid further divisions and instead focus on strengthening its organisation.
"We should move together like a bouquet, taking everyone along. Congress can only become stronger if experienced leaders remain united," he said.
The state Congress has been struggling with factionalism, despite repeated assertions by the party leadership that efforts are underway to strengthen organisational unity ahead of the 2027 Punjab elections.
Baghel is currently on a tour of the poll-bound state, where he will visit several assembly constituencies and hold meetings with the party's district and block-level leaders.
On Friday, he launched the 'Har Booth, Congress Mazboot' campaign during his visits to Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali.
Addressing the programme in Patiala, Baghel pitched for unity and said the responsibility of party leaders and workers was to ensure the Congress returns to power in Punjab, while making it clear that the CM face will not be picked up before the polls.
Later, speaking to reporters in Patiala, Baghel asserted that whosoever indulges in indiscipline, he or she will be shown the door from the party irrespective of the position one holds.
Baghel cited an example of expelling Navjot Kaur Sidhu earlier.
When asked if the party would take any action against Channi, Baghel replied by questioning what mistake the former chief minister had committed.
Replying to a question on party leaders staying away from district committee meetings, Baghel rejected such claims.
All leaders have been informed about these programmes and leaders are coming. Saying that this and that leader did not come is wrong. All leaders are participating as and when they get time, Baghel said.
The murmurs of discontent began after the Congress decided to retain Warring as its Punjab unit president, and appointed Jalandhar MP Channi the chairperson of its campaign committee.
A section of leaders led by Channi and Randhawa opposed the move to retain Warring as the Punjab Congress president and sought his removal from the position.
