Punjab Congress issues show-cause notice to Madan Lal Jalalpur as Channi-Baghel rift deepens
Punjab Congress has issued a show-cause notice to former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur over his remarks against the party leadership, as the internal power struggle involving Charanjit Singh Channi, Bhupesh Baghel and Raja Warring intensifies
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Congress has initiated disciplinary action against former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur, issuing him a show-cause notice over his public remarks against the party's central leadership. The move comes as the Congress grapples with an intensifying internal power struggle that has exposed deep divisions within its Punjab unit.
The notice, issued by Punjab Congress Disciplinary Committee chairman Avtar Henry, directs Jalalpur to explain within three days his statements made in the media against Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel. The party has warned that disciplinary proceedings may follow if a satisfactory reply is not submitted within the stipulated period.
Jalalpur had made the remarks while attending a meeting convened at former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's residence in Morinda, where several Congress leaders gathered ahead of Baghel's visit to Punjab.
The disciplinary action comes against the backdrop of an open display of factionalism within the Punjab Congress.
Former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi stayed away from the meeting called by Bhupesh Baghel and instead held a separate gathering with his supporters at his Morinda residence. Following the meeting, Channi left for Delhi, where he is expected to meet the Congress high command. Leaders aligned with Channi also refrained from receiving Baghel upon his arrival, highlighting the widening divide within the state unit.
Political equations within the Punjab Congress continue to shift, with Channi reportedly receiving the backing of MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, six MLAs and newly appointed working president Sangat Singh Gilzian.
Meanwhile, state Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has publicly received support from only one MP, Dr Amar Singh, while no MLA has openly endorsed his leadership so far.
The Congress leadership has deputed Bhupesh Baghel to Punjab for a five-day organisational tour aimed at addressing internal grievances and restoring unity.
Baghel said he would meet district Congress committees, newly constituted organisational bodies, Youth Congress representatives and senior party leaders over the coming days before speaking publicly on the developments.
Responding to speculation over the Morinda meeting, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring sought to dismiss reports of a major split.
He described the gathering at Channi's residence as a routine meeting of Congress leaders held to strengthen the organisation and urged the media not to exaggerate differences within the party.
According to Warring, discussions among senior leaders are ongoing and the Congress leadership remains committed to presenting a united front.