Channi’s push for greater Dalit representation triggers fresh infighting, adding pressure on state chief Raja Warring

CHANDIGARH: With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approaching, the Congress in the state is once again grappling with internal conflict, this time centred on caste representation.
This time former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s demand for greater representation of Dalits in the party has opened a Pandora’s box of internal conflict adding to the ongoing tension for Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who  has been facing an FIR for making “derogatory and casteist” remarks against prominent Dalit leader late Buta Singh.
The controversy began on January 17 during a closed meeting of the Congress Scheduled Caste department in Chandigarh.
Channi’s statement that all the top positions in the Congress party were captured by the leaders from the upper castes has raised concerns about the party’s unity as it prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections.
 During the meeting, Channi strongly criticized the party leadership for not giving enough importance to Dalit leaders despite having huge population share. Even a video from the meeting later surfaced on social media and quickly spread, bringing the issue into the public domain.
In the video, Channi questioned why most key positions in the Punjab Congress are held by leaders from the Jat Sikh community, even though Dalits make up a large share of Punjab’s population (of around 35%). He said that Dalits work hard for the party during elections at the grassroots level but are often ignored when it comes to leadership roles. According to him, this was not about dividing communities but about demanding social justice and fair representation.
However, Warring tried to counter Channi’s statement with a statement and warned the state leadership against what he called “caste-based politics.” Without naming Channi directly, he said that focusing on caste would only harm the party. Warring stressed that the Congress believes in inclusiveness and reminded everyone that the party had made Channi the Chief Minister in 2021, despite competition from other senior leaders. He also said that Channi continues to hold an important position at the national level in the party. According to Warring, these are small differences that should not be blown out of proportion.
Though, Channi later clarified his position saying that his statements were misunderstood but the political observers believe that his statement has given a clear message to the party leadership.
Channi has said he has always stood with all communities and that his demand was only for fair representation of Dalits, who form the largest social group in Punjab. He added that unless the party addresses this issue honestly, it could lose credibility among voters.
Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also reacted to the situation urging party leaders to show restraint. He warned that internal fights only weaken the party and said unity is essential if the Congress wants to regain public trust.
The latest disagreement has revived memories of past infighting within the Punjab Congress, especially after the party’s poor performance in the 2022 Assembly elections. Political observers note that caste equations have always played an important role in Punjab politics. While Jat Sikhs dominate leadership positions across parties, Dalits form a large and influential voter base but remain underrepresented at the top.
The timing of this controversy is also important, as discussions are underway about changes in the party leadership and strategy. A senior party leader had himself admitted that people are tired of seeing the same faces contest elections repeatedly, indicating the need for renewal within the party. A senior party leader pleading anonymity said that the Congress top leadership was closely watching the situation as if the issue is not handled carefully, the Congress could lose support from both Dalit and Jat Sikh voters. There are also concerns that rival parties could benefit from the Congress’s internal problems.
Meanwhile, opposition parties are also keeping a close eye over the growing internal difference within the Congress’ Punjab unit. Besides the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, the BJP and SAD were also targeting the Congress leadership for its indiscipline as last a major row erupted following party leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s claim that ‘one who gives a suitcase of ₹500 crore becomes the Chief Minister in the Congress,’ drawing strong reactions from the BJP and AAP over the Congress’ functioning.
However, Sidhu has been suspended from the Congress party with immediate effect but now the Congress leadership facing another challenge to resolve the dispute erupted over Channi’s statement.