NEW DELHI: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Saturday dismissed speculation of a rift within the party, asserting that all senior leaders would soon be seen united despite recent calls by some party workers to replace him with former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi as the state unit chief.The remarks come days after the Congress announced its organisational reshuffle in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, following which some of Channi’s supporters pitched him for the post of Punjab Congress president.”I believe Charanjit Singh Channi is one of our respected Congress leaders. He has served as our state’s chief minister, is a CWC member, the chairman of the campaign committee, and is our colleague. If some people have gathered at his house, there is nothing to worry about. Some people may gather at my house, some at Channi ji’s house, some may go to Randhawa ji’s house, and others may meet different leaders. That does not mean there is any infighting or factionalism. People often sit together and hold discussions,” Warring told reporters.”I believe that in the coming days—within a day or two—you will see all of us together on one stage, in one vehicle, united. We will fight for Punjab together,” he addedResponding to questions about criticism from within the party, Warring said those who had spoken against him were no longer part of the Congress and warned that indiscipline would not be tolerated. “As for what you said about some people speaking against me, those who have spoken against me are no longer in the party. The one or two people who spoke against me are not in the party anymore. Action will be taken against anyone who makes such remarks. Everyone has the right to express themselves, but nobody has the right to be indisciplined,” he said.Asked about reports that Channi was meeting the Congress high command, Warring said the former chief minister did not require anyone’s permission to meet the party leadership.”Rahul Gandhi loves Channi Sahib, and the Congress party values him. Channi Sahib does not need anyone’s authorisation to meet the party leadership. Whenever he wants and whenever he feels like it, he can meet the high command. Neither is the high command distant from Channi Sahib, nor is Channi Sahib distant from the high command,” he said.His remarks came a day after Channi’s supporters held a meeting in Morinda, where several leaders backed the former chief minister to take over as Punjab Congress president and projected him as the party’s chief ministerial face for the 2027 Assembly elections.Last week, the Congress high command announced a major organisational reshuffle in Punjab, retaining Warring as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president while appointing Channi as chairman of the Campaign Committee, a move widely seen as an attempt to balance competing factions within the state unit.According to a statement issued by AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the appointments with immediate effect.Under the new structure, Channi will head the Campaign Committee, Vijay Inder Singla will chair the Election Management and Coordination Committee, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa will lead the Core Committee, and Amar Singh will head the Manifesto Committee.The Congress also confirmed that Warring will continue as the Punjab Congress president, while Pratap Singh Bajwa will remain the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the state.
