Channi liyao, Congress bachao slogans rock Punjab Congress event; Raja Warring faces protest in Patiala
Factionalism within the Punjab Congress surfaced again as supporters raised pro-Channi slogans during a party event addressed by Raja Warring in Patiala. Bhupesh Baghel was present as several senior leaders skipped the meeting
PTC Web Desk: In the run-up to the Punjab Assembly elections 2027, fresh signs of internal discord emerged within the Punjab Congress on Saturday after supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi raised slogans during a party programme in Patiala while Punjab Congress president Raja Warring was addressing workers.
The incident took place in the presence of Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and once again highlighted the factional divide within the state unit ahead of the party's organisational drive.
Pro-Channi slogans interrupt Warring's speech
As Raja Warring began addressing the gathering, a section of party workers started raising slogans in support of Charanjit Singh Channi. Slogans such as "Channi Liyao, Punjab Bachao" and "Channi Liyao, Congress Bachao" echoed through the venue, briefly disrupting the programme.
Warring paused his speech and questioned those responsible for the sloganeering. Although he attempted to identify some of the workers, more supporters joined in and the chants continued inside the hall.
Senior Patiala leaders skip meeting
The programme also witnessed the absence of several senior Congress leaders from Patiala. Among those who did not attend was sitting Member of Parliament Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi, along with three other senior local leaders.
A former Congress MLA, who also stayed away from the event, said the party leadership should pay attention to the sentiments of grassroots workers.
According to him, workers are the real strength of the party and their voices should not be ignored in favour of individual leaders.
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Meeting was part of organisational campaign
The Patiala programme was organised as part of the Congress' statewide campaign to strengthen its booth-level organisation before the next electoral battle.
Following the disruption, Raja Warring warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found responsible for disturbing official party programmes and damaging the party's image.
Despite the warning, the slogan shouting continued for some time before the meeting proceeded.