- By Sanjay Mishra
- Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:24 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Congress to contest Punjab polls without a CM face.
- Decision made amidst Channi-Warring feud in state unit.
- High command asserts discipline, rejects pressure tactics.
Jagran Correspondent, New Delhi | The Congress high command has effectively used the tool of strictness and discipline through some recent decisive decisions, from reshuffling the organisational structure to strengthening the party's presence in the states.
However, the decision not to change the leadership in Punjab, which is on the verge of elections, has caused significant turmoil in the state party unit for the past several weeks.
Congress To Contest Elections In Punjab Without A CM Face
Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi and some other denied to accept the leadership of State Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, creating a huge infighting within the party ahead of key polls. Now, feud between Channi and Warring became litmus test for the party high command.
Therefore, by announcing that there will be no chief ministerial face in the Punjab elections and to contest under a collective leadership, the Congress has once again sent a clear message that it will not succumb to any pressure.
Congress High Command Takes Tough Stance In Recent Times
In the past few months, the Congress High Command has taken tough decisions in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa, keeping the party's current and future in mind, overlooking the personal ambitions or likes and dislikes of many senior leaders in these states.
This included the extremely difficult decision of replacing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Karnataka with DK Shivakumar, a decision that the leadership executed with very well.
Similarly, after the Kerala election victory, the heavyweight Congress General Secretary, KC Venugopal, who had thrown his weight behind the party, was given a red signal and the decision was made to appoint the popular VD Satheesan as the Chief Minister of the state.
In Tamil Nadu, Congress Deserted DMK And Joined Hands With TVK
Immediately after the Tamil Nadu elections, the Congress broke its alliance with the DMK and announced its support to TVK leader Vijay to form the government. Then there was the decision to appoint Manikam Tagore as the new president of the Tamil Nadu Congress, and in Goa, appointing the trusted Girish Chodhankar as the state Congress president instead of a well-known figure. In light of all these decisions, the Congress leadership has taken decisive action, going against the opinions of a section of its leaders in the respective states.
The latest example is the Cabinet expansion of the DK Shivakumar government in Karnataka on Monday, in which the high command decided to include several new and young faces among the 19 ministers, leaving out several longtime senior leaders. Disappointed by this, some MLAs threatened to resign, but Shivakumar brought these MLAs and leaders into line on Tuesday by threatening to accept their resignations within two minutes.
High Command's Strictness Not Yet Visible In Punjab
However, the high command's strictness in Punjab is not yet having an impact on the state's political landscape. Channi and his supporters are not only launching daily protests against Warring, but the two factions are also clashing with each other. In fact, they are also protesting Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel, in-charge of Punjab.
However, the Congress leadership shows no signs of succumbing to pressure from rebellious leaders in Punjab. Baghel announced on Tuesday that the Congress party will contest the elections in Punjab under a collective leadership and will not have a chief ministerial candidate.
Congress's Announcement A Setback For Channi
Amidst the turmoil within the Punjab Congress, the significant announcement is not only a clear message but also a setback for Channi, who had been pushing to be declared the chief ministerial candidate. The message from the high command is clear: the party is not prepared to alter its election strategy under pressure from the rebellious attitude of some individuals.