Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday, 9 July expressed firm confidence that the Indian National Congress would form the next government in Punjab in the 2027 assembly elections, asserting that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had completely failed the state's people.

Baghel's Outreach and Party Unity Claims

Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh after a series of meetings with party leadership and cadres, Baghel said there was 'a lot of enthusiasm and energy among the party's rank and file.' He maintained that Congress was 'completely united in Punjab in its mission and purpose,' and that he would be meeting every leader as part of his brief as Punjab in-charge.

Baghel defended internal dissent as a feature, not a flaw, arguing that Congress 'encourages debate and discussion' — unlike other parties where, he said, communication flows only one way. He added that the party values and respects the seniority and contributions of each leader.

The Channi-Warring Fault Line

The visit comes against the backdrop of a visible factional strain within the Punjab Congress. Member of Parliament and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is reportedly 'anguished' over the continuation of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as state party chief. The Congress high command had retained Warring in that role while appointing Channi to head the Campaign Committee — a division of responsibilities that has not fully satisfied Channi's camp.

A meeting between Baghel and Channi is expected to take place on Friday or Saturday, according to party sources, though it will reportedly be held without Warring's presence, according to a leader who requested anonymity.

Baghel was unambiguous about the high command's position: Warring will remain state Congress chief. 'Once the high command has taken a decision, it will not be changed. Is it a Gudda Gudi Khel?' he remarked, in a pointed rebuff to those pushing for a change in leadership.

AAP and BJP in Baghel's Crosshairs

Baghel was sharply critical of the incumbent AAP government in Punjab, saying people 'want to get rid of it as soon as possible.' On the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he was dismissive, claiming their ground presence remains 'marginal' despite large public claims. 'Even the BJP leadership knows it well, and it is only making hoax claims so that their cadres and leaders don't desert it ahead of the elections,' he said.

What Comes Next

With the 2027 Punjab assembly elections still roughly two years away, the Congress is in an early but consequential phase of rebuilding its organisational base in a state it lost to AAP in a landslide in 2022. Baghel's outreach is aimed at projecting unity while managing the Channi-Warring tension before it deepens. How the high command navigates this internal friction — and whether it translates into a coherent electoral strategy — will be closely watched in the months ahead.