Pro-Channi slogans raised at Congress event in Barnala as infighting continues
Internal factionalism within the Punjab Congress continues as supporters of Charanjit Singh Channi disrupted party events attended by AICC general secretary Bhupesh Baghel. Party leadership is urging unity to combat political rivals, while some members are calling for strict disciplinary action against dissenters.
Why it matters
Persistent infighting threatens the Congress party's electoral prospects in Punjab against the AAP and BJP.
The internal rift in the Punjab Congress refuses to abate despite efforts by the top party leadership, with supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi sloganeering at party programmes attended by Bhupesh Baghel, the AICC general secretary in-charge for the State, for the second consecutive day on Sunday (August 2, 2026).
Mr. Channi’s supporters raised slogans at an event in Barnala on Sunday (August 2, 2026). Pro-Channi slogans had disrupted the "Har Booth Congress Mazboot" programmes in Patiala and Sangrur on Saturday (August 1, 2026).
Mr. Baghel, however, said it was time for the Congressmen in Punjab to remain united and fight "the big battle" against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which were "two sides of the same coin".
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