The high-level meeting was held in Chandigarh as part of the party's efforts to address growing dissatisfaction among a section of Punjab Congress leaders. Channi, accompanied by several supporters, met Baghel, who is the party's Punjab in-charge, to discuss organisational issues and concerns over the state leadership. However, the discussions ended without any immediate resolution.

According to party sources, the Channi camp once again argued that replacing Raja Warring was essential to strengthen the Congress before the next Assembly election. The dissenting leaders reportedly maintained that a change in leadership would help the party present a united front against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP.

Baghel, however, sought to downplay speculation of a major organisational shake-up. Speaking after the meeting, he said there was no infighting within the Punjab Congress and insisted that discussions among party leaders should not be viewed as signs of division. He also indicated that any decision regarding the state leadership rests with the Congress high command and not with individual leaders or factions.

The latest round of talks comes days after the Congress announced its organisational structure for the Punjab Assembly elections. The party retained Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the Punjab Congress president while appointing Charanjit Singh Channi as chairman of the campaign committee. The appointments were intended to balance responsibilities among senior leaders, but they also triggered fresh discontent within a section of the state unit.

During the meeting, leaders from the Channi camp are understood to have raised concerns over the functioning of the state organisation and reiterated their objections to Warring's continuation as PPCC chief. Senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who has also expressed reservations over the present leadership arrangement, reportedly attended the discussions and backed the demand for organisational changes.

Despite the sharp differences, Baghel expressed confidence that the party would remain united. He assured the leaders that their concerns would be conveyed to the Congress high command and stressed that the focus should remain on strengthening the organisation ahead of the electoral battle in Punjab.

The disagreement has drawn attention because Punjab is expected to be one of the Congress' key political battlegrounds in the 2027 Assembly election. While the party hopes to regain power after its defeat in 2022, persistent factionalism has emerged as a challenge to its preparations. Political observers believe the Congress leadership will have to strike a balance between accommodating influential regional leaders and maintaining organisational stability before the election campaign gathers momentum.

For now, there is no indication that the Congress high command is considering an immediate leadership change in Punjab. With both sides holding firm to their positions, the internal discussions are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the party works to project unity before entering the next phase of election preparations.

Speaking during his visit to Chandigarh, Baghel rejected claims that the Punjab Congress was divided into rival groups. He maintained that leaders across the organisation were working together with the common objective of strengthening the party and preparing for upcoming political battles.

The statement assumes significance as reports of differences between Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi have dominated political discussions in recent weeks. While the party has not officially acknowledged any rift, repeated speculation has fuelled questions over its internal cohesion.

During his visit, Baghel also met several MLAs considered close to Channi. According to political sources, the meetings were part of an effort to improve coordination within the state unit and bridge perceived differences between senior leaders. Party insiders indicated that the leadership is keen to project a united front as organisational activities gather pace.

Baghel, however, insisted that there was no factionalism in the Punjab Congress and dismissed reports suggesting otherwise. He said the focus remained on organisational strengthening rather than internal disputes, signalling that the leadership does not want political messaging to be overshadowed by speculation over camp politics.

The meetings come at a politically sensitive time for the Congress in Punjab. After losing power in the 2022 Assembly elections, the party has been attempting to rebuild its grassroots organisation while positioning itself as a principal challenger to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP in the state.

Senior Congress leaders have repeatedly stressed the need for collective leadership and stronger coordination at the district level. The latest outreach by the party's state in-charge is being viewed as part of that broader organisational exercise.

Political observers note that leadership consultations with MLAs and district leaders have become more frequent in recent months as the Congress seeks to avoid public disagreements that could weaken its electoral prospects. Meetings involving different groups within the party are often seen as efforts to maintain communication and organisational balance.

Although reports of internal differences continue to surface, the Congress leadership has consistently maintained that discussions among leaders are a normal part of party functioning and should not be interpreted as signs of division.

Baghel's assertion of unity is expected to reassure party workers, particularly at a time when the Congress is trying to consolidate its organisational structure across Punjab. Whether these efforts succeed in ending speculation over internal rivalries will likely become clearer in the coming weeks as the party intensifies its political outreach.

For now, the official position remains unchanged: the Punjab Congress leadership says it is united, focused on strengthening the organisation and preparing collectively for future electoral challenges.