‘All Is Well’? Channi Misses Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha Speech Amid Punjab Congress Tensions

Channi Absent During Rahul Gandhi's Speech

Charanjit Singh Channi, the Congress MP from Jalandhar, was notably absent from the Lok Sabha when Rahul Gandhi participated in the debate on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, on Wednesday.

According to reports, Channi was in Faridkot attending a protest demanding the resignation of Punjab's health and education ministers over an alleged paper leak in the pharmacy officers' recruitment examination.

Only Punjab Congress MP Missing

Channi was reportedly the only one among Punjab Congress' seven MPs who was absent during Rahul Gandhi's speech. Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla had also reportedly urged Punjab MPs to remain present in the House from noon.

"All Is Well" Remark

The absence has drawn attention because Channi had earlier said "all is well" after meeting Congress general secretary K C Venugopal in Delhi on July 16.

He had said that he and leaders associated with his camp would abide by decisions taken by the Congress high command.

Punjab Congress Tensions

The development comes amid reported differences within the Punjab Congress. The party recently retained Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as its state unit president while appointing Channi as chairman of the campaign committee.

A section of leaders led by Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had opposed the decision and sought a change in the state party leadership ahead of Punjab's next election.

Paper Leak Becomes Another Flashpoint

The alleged pharmacy recruitment examination paper leak has become a political issue in Punjab, with Opposition parties targeting the AAP government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, however, has denied that any examination paper was leaked during his government's tenure.

Looking Ahead

Channi's decision to attend the Faridkot protest instead of Rahul Gandhi's parliamentary speech is likely to keep attention on both the paper-leak controversy in Punjab and the unresolved differences within the state Congress unit.