Baghel Alerts Punjab Congress to Internal Saboteurs Ahead of 2027 State Elections
Bhupesh Baghel has warned party activists about internal 'sleeper cells' and traitors during a mobilization event in Bathinda. The gathering faced disruption as loyalists to Charanjit Singh Channi staged a protest over his absence.
Key takeaways
- Bhupesh Baghel warned Punjab Congress workers about internal 'sleeper cells' and traitors during a Bathinda event on August 3, 2026.
- Protesting party workers disrupted the meeting with slogans for Charanjit Singh Channi, who was absent from the gathering.
- Baghel characterized the 2027 election as a collective organizational fight rather than a battle for individual candidates.
- The Congress leadership accused the AAP government of allowing gangsters to run the state and plunging Punjab into anarchy.
- Internal friction was evident as Channi and his supporters skipped the event following a recent party revamp.
Internal Sabotage and the 'Sleeper Cell' Threat
Bhupesh Baghel, the Congress general secretary in-charge for Punjab, issued a sharp warning to party members on August 3, 2026, regarding internal threats. Speaking at a grassroots mobilization event in Bathinda, the former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister urged workers to identify and guard against "traitors within the party" who could undermine the 2027 Assembly campaign. Baghel invoked the rhetoric of Rahul Gandhi, noting that the national leadership frequently cautions against "sleeper cells" of rival political entities operating inside Congress ranks.
Disruption and Leadership Friction
The event, designed to strengthen the organization at the booth level, exposed existing fractures within the state unit. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was notably absent, along with several of his key allies, amid rumors of dissatisfaction regarding recent party restructuring. The proceedings were interrupted when a group of workers boycotted the session to shout slogans favoring Channi. Despite the disruption, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring attempted to downplay the friction, describing Channi as one of the party's most respected senior figures.
The Campaign Against AAP
Baghel shifted focus to the current administration, calling for the removal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. He framed the 2027 election as a collective struggle for the entire rank and file rather than a series of individual candidate battles. Baghel’s critique of the status quo included the following points:
- Accusations that the AAP government has overseen a descent into anarchy.
- Claims that the state has been systematically looted under current leadership.
- Assertions that public safety has collapsed, with gangsters operating openly and citizens facing daylight violence.
The veteran leader emphasized that reclaiming Punjab would require a unified front, yet the conspicuous absence of the Channi camp continues to raise questions about the party's actual cohesion as the election cycle begins.
Source: The Hindu — National
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