CHANDIGARH: Internal differences within the Punjab Congress have once again come into focus after former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi was absent from the Lok Sabha when Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed Parliament during a debate on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, on Thursday, as per media reports.
According to media reports, Channi was the only one among the Congress’ seven MPs from Punjab who did not attend Rahul Gandhi’s speech. The remaining six MPs were present in the House. Reports said Channi was in Faridkot, where he participated in a protest over the alleged paper leak in the pharmacy officers’ recruitment examination. He was reportedly unavailable for comment at the time.
The development comes amid reports of recent organisational differences within the Punjab Congress following the party’s decision to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as the state unit president while appointing Channi as chairperson of the campaign committee.
As per media reports, Channi had earlier met Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal in New Delhi and stated that “all is well”, adding that he and his supporters would abide by the party high command’s decision.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel is expected to undertake a 10-day organisational tour of the state to interact with party workers and strengthen the organisation ahead of the next Punjab Assembly elections, according to media reports.
