On July 31, the Congress in Punjab was hoping to “strengthen itself in weak booths” with AICC general secretary in-charge for Punjab Bhupesh Baghel’s nine-day organisational tour of the state. In Patiala and Sangrur, Channi’s supporters raised slogans such as “Channi lao, Punjab bachao (Bring Channi, save Punjab)” during party programmes triggering warnings from Baghel, who said such behaviour could invite disciplinary action, including expulsion. In response, posters appeared portraying Channi as an “RSS agent” and, in Amritsar, slogans reading “Channi bhagao, Congress bachao (remove Channi, save Congress)” were put up. The concern, they said, was not merely about individual confrontations but about the message being sent to voters – that the Punjab Congress remained preoccupied with its internal leadership battle. For the Punjab Congress, the problem is no longer restricted to two rival camps disagreeing over leadership.