Rahul Gandhi is Congress only face in Punjab: Bhupesh Baghel

Amid ongoing differences within the Punjab Congress over its state leadership ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, on Monday asserted that Rahul Gandhi is the party’s only face in the state. In a post on X, Baghel said the people of Punjab have placed their trust in Rahul Gandhi, just as they did during the Lok Sabha elections, and are looking towards him for leadership in the upcoming Assembly polls. He said the Congress has only one face in Punjab: Rahul Gandhi.

Baghel’s remarks have sparked speculation that the Congress may contest the 2027 Assembly elections without projecting a chief ministerial candidate, unlike previous elections when the party announced a state leader as its chief ministerial face before the polls. The statement comes at a time when the Punjab Congress continues to witness internal differences over its state leadership. Earlier this month, the party retained Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president and appointed former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi as chairman of the campaign committee.

Despite the appointments, several leaders have reportedly demanded a change in the state leadership and supported Channi for the post of Punjab Congress president. Leaders considered close to Channi recently met Baghel and conveyed their concerns over Warring continuing as the state unit chief. Following the meeting, senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said party workers wanted a leader who was not “compromised” and indicated that the group’s concerns had been placed before the party leadership.

Responding to the developments, Baghel maintained that there was no objection to the party high command’s decision regarding the Punjab Congress president. He, however, acknowledged that some leaders had raised certain concerns and said he would convey them to the party leadership. The remarks come as the Congress works to resolve internal differences while preparing its strategy for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.