Bhupesh Baghel, the Indian National Congress's Punjab affairs in-charge, convened a high-stakes 'damage-control' meeting in Chandigarh on Tuesday, 7 July, asserting that the Congress was 'the only option' for Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. However, the exercise was visibly undermined by the conspicuous absence of several disgruntled senior leaders, most notably former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

Key Developments in Chandigarh

Baghel, who arrived in Chandigarh on Monday for a five-day consultation tour, held successive meetings with the party's working presidents, office-bearers, and District Congress Committee presidents. He expressed confidence that the party was 'fully prepared for the battle ahead' and that there was 'complete unity of purpose and mission' among leaders and workers — a claim the empty chairs of dissenters appeared to contradict.

Newly appointed working presidents Sukhwinder Singh Danny and Raj Kumar Verka took charge at a separate ceremony, and Baghel also attended the swearing-in of newly elected Punjab Youth Congress president Shuvam Devgan.

Where Channi Was — and Why It Matters

According to party sources, Channi and his supporters are likely to carry their grievances directly to Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Delhi. Leader of the Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, sought to downplay the optics, telling reporters that Baghel's presence was what mattered and that 'Delhi is also the capital of India, and Channi has not left the country.'

Verka, who met Channi separately at his residence, told the media that Channi remained a close ally: 'He stands with me, and I stand with him — there is no doubt about that.' He added that all leaders were united under the guidance of Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Baghel.

The Channi Faction's Ultimatum

The internal tension has been building for weeks. On 3 July, supporters of Channi — several of them former legislators and prominent Dalit community voices — issued a one-week ultimatum to the party's central leadership, demanding that Channi replace incumbent Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. They argued that the Congress could not return to power under Warring's leadership.

Baghel's Chandigarh visit was widely seen as a direct response to that ultimatum, with the party hoping to defuse tensions before they spill into the public domain ahead of the 2027 cycle.

Baghel's Pitch Against AAP and the Opposition

Addressing the District Congress Committee presidents, Baghel trained his fire on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing it of having 'betrayed' the people of Punjab and pushed the state 'to the brink of bankruptcy and lawlessness.' He dismissed the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as being 'nowhere in the reckoning,' positioning Congress as the sole credible alternative.

He also met a broad cross-section of senior leaders, including Partap Singh Bajwa, Manifesto Committee chairperson Amar Singh, Election Management Committee head Vijay Inder Singla, former Speaker Rana KP Singh, campaign co-chairman Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and others.

What Comes Next

Baghel is scheduled to continue meetings with senior leaders, office-bearers, and party workers over the next three days. Whether the Channi faction's concerns will be addressed — through a leadership reshuffle or a negotiated settlement — is expected to become clearer once Channi's reported meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi takes place. The party's ability to present a unified front will be critical as the 2027 Punjab assembly elections draw closer.