Punjab: Charanjit Channi’s camp gives ultimatum to Congress high command
Chandigarh, July 3 (IANS/WISHAVWARTA) Supporters, comprising several former legislators, of former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, one of the state’s prominent Dalit faces, on Friday expressed solidarity and demanded that their leader be appointed the state Congress chief, replacing incumbent Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
They gave a week’s ultimatum to the party’s central leadership to take a call on Channi’s leadership, saying that under Warring’s leadership the Congress cannot come to power.
The development comes two days after the party’s central leadership decided to retain Warring as the state Congress chief.
The supporters, who started assembling at Channi’s residence in Morinda town, told the media that if the Congress was to return to power in Punjab in the next Assembly elections, the former Chief Minister should be appointed the state unit chief.
However, there was no statement from Jalandhar Member of Parliament Channi, one of the main contenders for the post of the state chief, either on his appointment as the chairperson of the campaign committee or on his reservations about his appointment.
The informal meeting called by Channi saw the participation of several senior Congress leaders, former ministers, former MLAs and sitting legislators. Those present included former Deputy Chief Minister O.P. Soni, former ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and Gurkirat Singh Kotli. Former MP Mohammad Sadiq also attended the meeting.
Former legislator Darshan Singh Brar said if Channi is not made the state president, the Congress cannot form its government in Punjab. Under Warring’s leadership, the Congress cannot come to power.
Another party leader, Brinder Singh Dhillon, said Channi has been given the authority to speak to the high command. A committee has been formed to convey everything to the high command.
“We need to defeat the AAP government. Everyone has said that we will stand with Charanjit Singh Channi in whatever decisions he takes,” he said.
Former minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa said they would seek an appointment from the high command.
“We are not fighting against the high command. We respect the high command. Our main point is that the Congress should form the next government in Punjab. So, the high command should think everything and then reconsider. There is resentment and disappointment among people,” he said.
Former legislator Nazar Singh Manshahia said this is not about satisfaction or dissatisfaction. It is the voice of the people. People’s voices are in favour of Channi.
Amid dissent and infighting among Congressmen after the revamp of Punjab’s organisation ahead of Assembly elections, party MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, in a related development, called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi.
However, later he clarified on X that the meeting was pre-scheduled in connection with his representation on the deteriorating law and order in the state.
“About two months ago, on June 4, 2026, I wrote to the Prime Minister and sent a copy to the Home Minister, raising concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab,” Randhawa told the media after meeting Home Minister Shah.
Replying to a media query on former Chief Minister Channi calling a meeting of party leaders, Randhawa replied, “This situation should not have arisen. So many meetings (regarding revamp of the organisation) have taken place, yet the lack of satisfaction is a sorrowful matter.”
Randhawa said he submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Shah, demanding action against the spike in gangster-related incidents in Gurdaspur and other border areas, which were discussed in detail at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu took a swipe at Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, recalling a famous scene from Sholay.
Drawing a parallel with Asrani’s iconic jailor, whose entire contingent marches away with commands of “right, left” while he is left standing alone, Ravneet Singh said a similar situation has unfolded in the Punjab Congress with Raja Warring retained on the top post.
He said almost Raja Warring’s entire team has drifted towards Charanjit Channi, leaving the state Congress chief isolated.
Bittu advised Warring to stop resisting the inevitable, join the “Channi wagon”, and head to Channi’s residence along with the rest of his colleagues.
A day earlier, three-time Congress Member of Parliament Manish Tewari said he was left in the cold as the party appointed new working presidents and poll panels for Punjab.
“Wish I had an antidote for the insecurities of individuals and institutions! Having said that, @INCIndia has given me enough over the past 45 years, and I have also devoted my entire adult life in the service of the Indian National Congress over the decades,” the former Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting wrote on X in a cryptic post after being sidelined. “Que sera, sera, Whatever will be, will be…” the MP from Chandigarh added.
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