Punjab Congress Leaders Meet Amid Infighting as Party Tries to Reach Out to 'Dissident' Camp

Congress's Punjab in-charge, Bhupesh Baghel, on Tuesday met several state leaders, even as those backing Charanjit Singh Channi are yet to meet him amid infighting within the party. State Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring claimed that ex-chief minister and MP Channi will meet Baghel in a day or two. Warring, while replying to a question, said that on Monday, Baghel held meetings with chairpersons of various committees, barring two. He said that chairperson of the party's campaign committee Channi and core committee chairperson Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will be meeting Baghel in a day or two. "Channi has told Baghel that he will be out for a day or two," said Warring. In the morning, Baghel had a breakfast meeting with state Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka. Separately, Verka also met Channi as attempts by the party leadership appeared to intensify efforts to reach out to the 'dissident' camp led by Channi. Punjab goes to polls early next year. On Monday, several senior leaders held a meeting in Mohali in the presence of Channi, days after several incumbent and former MLAs threw their weight behind the Lok Sabha member to be reconsidered for the state unit chief's post. An announcement to retain Warring as the Punjab Congress chief came last Wednesday, alongside the unveiling of the party's various committees for the 2027 polls.