AICC in-charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel (centre) with leaders of the Congress in Punjab. Photo: X/@INCPunjab
Baghel rejects change in Punjab Congress leadership: 'Not gudda-guddi ka khel'
AICC state in-charge downplays rift; says high command's decision to retain Amarinder Warring is final, ahead of meeting with a ‘miffed’ Charanjit Singh Channi
All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, on Wednesday (July 8) said the party’s leadership in the state will not see any change, adding such calls are not “gudda-guddi ka khel” (child’s play) that would see repeated alterations.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, he said he will soon speak with Charanjit Singh Channi, former chief minister of Punjab and currently an MP from the state, who is said to be miffed with the party’s decisions in the state. The latter was recently appointed as the campaign committee for the 2027 Assembly polls in Punjab.
Also read: Punjab Congress crisis: Baghel holds meetings, assures 'everything will be fine'
Channi is reportedly unhappy for not being made the Congress president in Punjab, as the party announced on July 1 that the incumbent, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, would continue in that role.
On Monday (July 6), several senior Congress leaders held a meeting in Mohali in the presence of Channi, days after several incumbent and former MLAs threw their weight behind him to be reconsidered for the state unit chief’s post.
'High command's decision, can't be changed'
Dismissing speculation about a rethink on Warring's retention as the state party chief, Baghel said, “When the high command has taken a decision, it is not changed. ‘Koyi gudda-guddi ka khel hai kya ke baar-baar nirnay badla jaega?’ (Is this a child's play that the decision will be changed over and over again?)” he asked.
Also read: Political row erupts in Punjab after Diljit Dosanjh's 'Satluj' is removed from ZEE5
With Channi and another senior leader, Sukhjinder Randhawa, yet to meet him, the former chief minister of Chhattisgarh said, “I talked to him (Channi); the meeting will take place. Randhawa will also come and meet me.”
Baghel, who arrived in Punjab on a five-day visit on Monday, said there was no enmity in the state Congress camp.
The Congress is currently serving as the opposition party in Punjab which is ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party following its 2022 election win.
(With agency inputs)