Punjab Congress Show of Strength at Baba Bakala Overshadowed by Factional Faultlines

A Congress political conference at Baba Bakala in Amritsar drew a large turnout of workers and supporters, but the event was marked by the conspicuous absence of several senior leaders, bringing the party's internal factionalism back into focus.

The internal differences were visible both on stage and in the conference's promotional material. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was not present at the event, while posters prominently featured former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, with his photograph noticeably larger than that of the state party chief.

Channi, former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, and Santosh Singh Bhalaipur were among the prominent leaders on stage. However, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, state chief Raja Warring, former Jandiala Guru MLA Sukhwinder Singh Danny Bandala, and former MP Jasbir Singh Dimpa were notable absentees.

The conference's primary focus was attacking the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. Randhawa accused the administration of failing to curb the growing influence of gangsters, alleging that people no longer feel safe even in their own homes.

Channi launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating the state needs effective leadership. He also criticised the government over Punjab's rising debt and questioned its handling of state affairs.

Adding to the political speculation, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa hinted that the Congress high command could soon take a favourable decision regarding Channi. Santosh Singh Bhalaipur was also congratulated for mobilising a large gathering at the conference.

While the Congress used the Baba Bakala platform to launch a broadside against the AAP government, the absence of senior leaders and the visible differences over leadership and prominence on stage became a talking point in their own right.

With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approaching, the developments at Baba Bakala have once again raised questions over whether the Congress can present a united front in the state or whether its internal factionalism will remain a major political challenge.