Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 3 : Several Punjab Congress leaders on Friday backed former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for the post of Punjab Congress president, saying public sentiment favours his leadership as the party prepares for the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters on the rift over the Punjab Congress president post, Congress leader Nazar Singh Manshahia said the demand for Charanjit Singh Channi to lead the state unit was based on the wishes of the people rather than any dissatisfaction within the party.
"This is not about satisfaction or dissatisfaction. It is the voice of the people. People's voices are in favour of Channi sahab (Charanjit Singh Channi)," Manshahia said.
This comes after the divide within the Punjab Congress ranks became public today when former CM and newly appointed Election campaign commitee boss Charanjit Singh Channi called a meeting of his supporters in Morinda.
When asked if Congress will not be able to form a government in Punjab if Amrinder Singh Raja Warring continues as State Congress president, Manshahia said, "It is the voice of the people that the Govt won't be formed here then. Channi sahab should be made the president...He can then plan to win elections in the state..."
Further, Congress leader Brinder Singh Dhillon said Channi had been authorised to communicate with the party high command and that a committee had been constituted to convey the views of party leaders.
"Channi sahab (Charanjit Singh Channi) has been given the authority to speak to the high command. A committee has been formed to convey to the high command everything. We need to defeat the AAP Govt. A formula needs to be prepared for it so that we can form the Govt in Punjab in the time to come...Everyone has said that we will stand with Charanjit Singh Channi in whatever decisions he takes," Dhillon told ANI.
Congress leader Harminder Singh Gill also expressed support for Channi, saying people wanted him to lead the party in Punjab.
"Elections are going to be held in Punjab in the days to come. People want Channi sahab (Charanjit Singh Channi). I do not want to comment on him (Amrinder Singh Raja Warring) but people want to see Channi sahab as Number 1...People want a little correction," Gill said.
The remarks come amid discussions within the Punjab Congress over its organisational leadership ahead of the state Assembly elections as former CM and newly appointed Election campaign commitee boss Charanjit Singh Channi called a meeting of his supporters in Morinda.
Channi, who had been spoken of as a possible PCC chief, had to be content with the Campaign Committee job after the Congress High Command opted to play safe and let Amarinder Singh Raja Warring continue as PCC Chief.
Leaders who came for the meeting openly batted for Channi to take over the top post in the state Congress. Congress leader Tarsem Singh DC argued that Congress cannot form the government under the leadership of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, as the public does not support him.
On Wednesday, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) announced key organisational appointments for the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, naming chairpersons and co-chairpersons of multiple election-related committees, even as the party gears up its campaign structure in the state.
As per the announcement, Charanjit Singh Channi has been appointed Chairperson of the Campaign Committee. The party also confirmed that Amarinder Singh Raja Warring will continue as Punjab PCC President, while Pratap Singh Bajwa will remain Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Punjab.