Representative image NEW DELHI: Congress’s decision to take a fresh look at the composition of its Punjab leadership in the run-up to assembly polls seems to have sown confusion rather than settle the prevailing factionalism.The flurry of review meetings and interviews of senior state functionaries has opened the idea of a change of team at the top, with the rank and file again appearing to be divided according to their loyalties. Party functionaries said this was the very development that they were seeking to avoid in the recent months because there is little time for an overhaul of the famously factionalised party branch.Congress formed a committee to look into the Punjab unit and is set to take a decision on its recommendations. The key reason for the final relook at the unit is seemingly its lopsided nature — with both the posts of LoP and state chief with one community (Sikh Jatt) — a result of the hasty appointments done after the 2022 AAP landslide that reduced Congress to just 18 MLAs out of 117.Traditionally, Congress’s organisation has also accommodated Dalit and Hindu faces as a signal to the influential social blocs of Punjab.But, according to insiders, the exercise is too delayed now because the option of changing the state brass could lead to a disconnect with the office bearers down the line who are likely to be loyal to the leadership of the last four years. A change may affect the unity of the ranks, which many believe is what can take Congress over the line in its battle against AAP. However, if the party sticks to the present leadership, it may end up accentuating the perception of social disbalance. “That is why this issue should never have been opened in public,” a member said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCanada Officially Confirms Khalistani Role In Air India Kanishka BombingKolkata Warehouse Collapse: Bengal CM Blames TMC Regime, Says ‘Flawed Plan’ Got ApprovalRam Mandir Donation Row: F.I.R Filed Against Eight Accused After SIT Flags EmbezzlementThreat To Journalists? Shiv Sena MP’s Remarks Trigger Political Storm In MaharashtraWhy India Has Given Dinesh Trivedi Cabinet Minister-Equivalent Status In Bangladesh?From Deportation Calls To Racist Attacks: The Rise Of Anti-Indian Sentiment In The US’Congress, BJP & SAD Joined Hands’: Punjab CM Mann Blames Opposition For ‘Conspiracy’India-Pak Backchannel Talks Continue In Colombo And Bangkok Amid Diplomatic Freeze: ReportsIf Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID And Passport Aren’t Final Proofs, What Actually Makes You Indian?Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Meet Lok Sabha Speaker, Stress Constitutional Process On Party Claims123PhotostoriesFriday OTT releases (June 26): ‘Raja Shivaji’, ‘Little Brother’, ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’, ‘Perfect Family’ and moreShoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar ring in son Ruhaan’s third birthday quietly amid father’s hospitalisationButtermilk for Summer: 8 traditional buttermilk dishes of India to keep the gut cool7 places on Earth that are compared to hell and yet travellers keep going10 baby girl names that symbolise renewal and positivity in different languagesSuccess quote of the day by Kunal Shah: ‘There are no over-ambitious people; only dreamers with no plans’Psychology says women comfortable being alone often share these 8 powerful traitsPushy parenting does more harm than good: What it is and 5 signs you may be oneThis everyday habit before work could be quietly damaging your performanceInside Samay Raina’s luxurious Mumbai house: A massive living area, a streaming room and more123Hot PicksCharles OliveiraKetan Agrawal MurderMike Vrabel ControversyGermany Vs EcuadorSujata Rout KarthikeyanED KelceNHL Trade RumorsNFL Trade RumorsAndy RoddickTop TrendingSundar PichaiVenezuela NewsRithuparna KSFIFA World Cup 2026Venezuela earthquake NewsMumba Local Train MurderMEA PassportNandani BosmiyaMK StalinMumbai Local Train News
NEW DELHI: Congress’s decision to take a fresh look at the composition of its Punjab leadership in the run-up to assembly polls seems to have sown confusion rather than settle the prevailing factionalism.The flurry of review meetings and interviews of senior state functionaries has opened the idea of a change of team at the top, with the rank and file again appearing to be divided according to their loyalties. Party functionaries said this was the very development that they were seeking to avoid in the recent months because there is little time for an overhaul of the famously factionalised party branch.Congress formed a committee to look into the Punjab unit and is set to take a decision on its recommendations. The key reason for the final relook at the unit is seemingly its lopsided nature — with both the posts of LoP and state chief with one community (Sikh Jatt) — a result of the hasty appointments done after the 2022 AAP landslide that reduced Congress to just 18 MLAs out of 117.Traditionally, Congress’s organisation has also accommodated Dalit and Hindu faces as a signal to the influential social blocs of Punjab.But, according to insiders, the exercise is too delayed now because the option of changing the state brass could lead to a disconnect with the office bearers down the line who are likely to be loyal to the leadership of the last four years. A change may affect the unity of the ranks, which many believe is what can take Congress over the line in its battle against AAP. However, if the party sticks to the present leadership, it may end up accentuating the perception of social disbalance. “That is why this issue should never have been opened in public,” a member said.
