‘Go Back Baghel’ Chants and Banners Overshadow Punjab Congress Gathering

BATHINDA/MUKTSAR: The growing power struggle within the Punjab Congress once again played out in public on Monday, as rival camps disrupted party programmes with pro-Charanjit Singh Channi slogans in Bathinda and anti-Bhupesh Baghel banners in Muktsar. The back to back incidents highlighted the deepening divisions within the state unit, posing a challenge for the party leadership ahead of future political battles.

The most dramatic scenes unfolded during the Congress’ ‘Har Booth Congress Majboot’ campaign in Bathinda. A section of supporters repeatedly raised slogans backing former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi while party leaders addressed the gathering.

In an unexpected move, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring invited one of the protesters onto the stage and asked him to contact Channi directly. Warring said if the former chief minister was informed about the disruption, he would ask supporters not to derail the party programme.

When Channi did not answer two consecutive calls, Warring remarked that he was likely occupied elsewhere. He then instructed senior leader Kulbir Singh Zira to share his contact number with the youth and asked him to reconnect after speaking with Channi. The audience responded with applause and cheers before the protester left the stage.

The slogan-shouting marked the third consecutive day of similar incidents. Comparable demonstrations had already been reported during Congress events in Patiala and Sangrur on August 1, followed by Barnala and Mansa on August 2, indicating that dissatisfaction within sections of the party is spreading across Punjab.

Meanwhile, fresh controversy erupted in Muktsar, where posters carrying the message “Go Back Baghel” appeared along Kotkapura Road. Some banners also demanded the removal of both Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel and state chief Raja Warring, claiming such a step was necessary to revive the party. The posters were later removed.

Responding to the developments, Warring dismissed suggestions that he would step down because of pressure from rival factions. He maintained that leadership decisions rest entirely with the Congress high command and asserted that he would continue serving the organisation in any capacity assigned to him.

The Punjab Congress chief also defended his tenure by pointing to the party’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the Congress secured seven parliamentary seats in the state. He credited party workers and organisational efforts for the result, saying he remained committed to strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level.

Separately, Warring addressed the controversy surrounding his earlier remarks about late singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moose Wala, following criticism from Moose Wala’s father, Balkaur Singh.

Clarifying his statement, Warring said his comments had been misunderstood. He explained that his intention was to highlight the importance of effective booth-level organisation, arguing that even highly popular leaders could lose elections without a strong electoral network. He also recalled raising the issue of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, accused in Moose Wala’s murder case, in Parliament, urging Balkaur Singh not to misread his remarks.

The latest developments underscore persistent organisational challenges facing the Punjab Congress, with public displays of factional rivalry threatening to overshadow the party’s campaign to strengthen its grassroots network. As senior leaders attempt to project unity, repeated protests at official events continue to expose unresolved differences within the state leadership.