The war within the Punjab Congress unit has reached a boiling point as the party’s top brass on Tuesday gathered in New Delhi for a meeting of paramount importance to discuss the issue of infighting, among many others. The meeting, chaired by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, with senior leader Rahul Gandhi and recently-appointed state Congress party affairs’ in-charge Devender Yadav in attendance, is poised to tackle the issue of internal strife that has plagued the party in the wake of the ensuing 2024 general elections.

The high-stakes meeting comes as a response to the rising discord within the Punjab Congress stemming from the possibility of forming an alliance with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state, with leaders openly expressing dissatisfaction and demanding a course correction.

Apart from central leaders, nearly three dozen party leaders from Punjab attended the meeting, including state party president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, his predecessor Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Partap Singh Bajwa, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Union Minister Ambika Soni, sitting MPs, among others.  

During the “closed-door” meeting, discussions were held on several issues, particularly those related to formulating the strategy for the Lok Sabha elections, due next year. As per initial reports, till the time of filing this news, the issues of alliance with AAP and “indiscipline” within the party’s state unit did come up for discussion with special mention of the party’s defeat in 2022 state assembly polls due to the same reason.

Warring, after the meeting, maintained that high command, as such, did not take up the issue of alliance with AAP, but “some leaders, who have their opinion on the same, put it before the central leaders at their own level”.

Yadav also maintained that the meeting was held in very cordial atmosphere and discussions were held on various issues. However, none of the leaders openly disclosed if the high command issued any waring to any of the leader for indulging in war of words in public.

The internal squabbles, particularly between Bajwa and Sidhu, have intensified — threatening the party's stability in the state.

Punjab Congress president Warring, set the tone for the meeting, making it abundantly clear that any form of indiscipline would be met with stringent action. Warring's remarks were seen as a veiled critique aimed at Sidhu, who has been at the center of the controversy.

The core issue on the table is the internal bickering, and alliance with AAP in Punjab, among others.

Congress had suffered a massive defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections, attributed in part to internal conflicts and a lack of coordination. Party leaders, including Pratap Singh Bajwa, have blamed Sidhu's leadership for the drastic decline in the party's seat share from 78 to 18.

The meeting aimed to address these internal challenges and forge a unified strategy for the upcoming political battles, including the Lok Sabha elections. The infighting has exposed rifts within the party, with factions emerging, some advocating for an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and others vehemently opposing it.

The presence of Rahul Gandhi, a key figure in the Congress hierarchy, underscores the gravity of the situation. Rahul, known for his involvement in strategic decision-making, is expected to play a pivotal role in resolving the internal strife and ensuring the party's cohesion.

Devender Yadav, the newly appointed in-charge for Punjab Congress, brings a fresh perspective to the table. His role will be instrumental in bridging gaps, fostering communication, and implementing strategies to revitalize the party in Punjab.

The ongoing factionalism, particularly the public sparring between Bajwa and Sidhu, adds another layer of complexity to the party's internal dynamics. The high command's challenge is not only to resolve the existing issues but also to establish a roadmap for future unity and cohesiveness.

As the meeting unfolds behind closed doors, the outcome remains uncertain. The decisions taken in this closed-door gathering will likely shape the future trajectory of the Punjab Congress and have far-reaching implications for the party's standing in the state and beyond.