Congress dissidents urge appointment of Hindu state chief to calm Punjab turmoil

Congress officials report that dissident leaders in Punjab are demanding the installation of a Hindu state president to end a growing crisis in the party’s regional unit. The coalition, which includes senior netas Charanjit Channi and Sukhjinder Randhawa, seeks to replace current chief Amarinder Raja Warring, arguing that a Hindu Pradesh Congress Committee chief would bring communal balance to a leadership dominated by Jatt Sikhs.

The internal deadlock, highlighted by sources, is casting a shadow over the party’s election preparations. Party brass are reportedly considering changes to either the state chief, the All India Congress Committee in-charge, or both. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi’s anticipated bus campaign has been delayed, with officials saying it will only commence once the intra-party quarrels are resolved. The move reflects broader concerns about Congress’s prospects in the AAP-run state amid rising competition from groups like Amritpal Singh’s supporters.