Anti-Warring Punjab Congress group makes yet another attempt to dethrone him

Following this meeting, former Jalalabad MLA Raminder Singh Awla held a one-on-one meeting with Baghel and Venugopal in New Delhi and listed his grievances. Following this meeting, Raja Sansi MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sukhsarkaria and Fatehgarh Churian MLA Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa also met the two central leaders. Speaking to The Indian Express on condition of anonymity, one of the Congress leaders who was present at the meetings said that concerns were communicated to the central leadership on the manner in which party affairs were being conducted in Punjab under the leadership of Warring and aided by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

“We pointed out that there were at least 36 assembly constituencies which PCC president has not even bothered to focus upon and which lack a proper Congress leadership at local level. We also pointed out that in many constituencies there are two to three contenders for the MLAs ticket and that this scenario will harm Congress as the state inches towards 2027 assembly polls,” the leader said. It is learnt that an example of Tarn Taran assembly constituency was given where there are at least three candidates being propped up from three different camps and which has already caused discord among the party cadres. “We have told the high command that we will take part in Taran Taran poll process in whatever capacity that the party wants us to be, but we have also apprised the central leaders about the confusions which exists on the ground,” the leader said.

Alleged bias in appointment of block presidents was another point which came up during discussions, inform sources. An example was given of Awla’s constituency where people loyal to him were removed.

Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the president of PPCC and Ludhiana MP, has faced significant internal opposition within the Punjab Congress unit since assuming leadership in late 2022. This dissent stems primarily from perceptions of ineffective leadership, factionalism, and inadequate opposition to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. Warring’s appointment as PPCC Chief elevation was seen at the time as an attempt by the party high command to inject fresh energy and counter the influence of leaders like Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Several senior Congress leaders, including former ministers and sitting MLAs, have openly criticized Warring’s “working style” and decision-making. A major grievance is Warring’s perceived “soft” stance against the AAP regime under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Critics within the party argue that despite AAP’s failures on issues like drugs, floods, law and order, and industrial policies, Warring has failed to mount aggressive protests or movements.

The party’s defeats in recent bypolls, including Ludhiana West in July 2025, have amplified calls for change. Infighting was cited as a key reason, with leaders questioning Warring’s strategy. In July 2025, the high command, through Baghel, gauged sentiments but signaled no immediate overhaul of the state leadership, leading to further frustration. The Congress high command, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, has intervened multiple times in the Punjab Congress feud. Baghel’s many visits to the state aimed to unite the unit, but no major changes were forthcoming, with Warring retaining his role as PCC president.