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Amid growing speculation over internal discord within the Punjab Congress unit, the party’s state affairs in-charge and Chhattisgarh’s former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday stepped in to dismiss rumours of a leadership change. Baghel, in a social media post, lauded the coordination between Punjab Congress leaders, especially the state unit president and leader of opposition, asserting that the state unit was working in unison.
“The coordination between the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, the Leader of Opposition, and senior party leaders is remarkable. I am confident that Punjab’s unity will set an example for other states in the coming days,” Baghel wrote, from his official handle on X (formerly Twitter).
Baghel’s statement comes at a time when factionalism within the Punjab Congress has been a persistent issue. For over a year, senior leader Navjot Singh Sidhu remained distant from party affairs, while discontent brewing among certain sections over the leadership of PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. The controversy reignited following Baghel’s recent visit to Punjab, during which he held meetings with key leaders and district presidents in Chandigarh.
The speculation around Punjab Congress’s leadership gained momentum on February 24, when reports emerged suggesting that the party high command was considering a change in PPCC leadership. However, Baghel swiftly dismissed these claims, terming them as baseless.
“These are mere rumours with no substance. Any change in the party’s leadership is the prerogative of the high command, and at present, there is no such discussion,” he had clarified.
During a press interaction on February 25, Baghel also outlined the roadmap for strengthening the party ahead of the ensuing elections. He emphasized restructuring at all levels — from PPCC to booth committees — and empowering allied organizations to bolster the party’s grassroots presence.
With Baghel’s statement, party insiders believed that uncertainty over Warring’s leadership may be put to rest — at least for now. However, Punjab Congress’ internal power dynamics remain under scrutiny.
In the evening, three Punjab Congress spokespersons — Jaskaran Singh Kahlon, Narinder Sandhu, and Ruby Gill — issued official video statements to further dismiss the speculation. They accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of orchestrating these rumours to divert attention from governance failures.
Sandhu said that the unity among Punjab Congress’s senior leaders had unsettled rival parties, especially AAP. He asserted that Baghel had already provided clarity during his Punjab visit.
Kahlon reinforced the point, stating, “Both the PPCC president and the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader are working in complete coordination. The central leadership is satisfied with the state leadership’s performance.”
Echoing a similar stance, Ruby Gill urged the party workers and the public to disregard unverified reports. “Any leadership change is the high command’s decision, but Bhupesh Baghel ji has already clarified that nothing is changing. Media and Congress workers should avoid believing in baseless rumours,” she said.