Saptrishi Soni
With less than a year before Punjab heads into another high-stakes Assembly election, the Congress has begun intensifying its organisational outreach, projecting confidence that it can return to power in 2027 after nearly a decade out of government.
Leading the campaign is former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, who on Thursday expressed optimism about the party’s electoral prospects while underlining that the organisation remains united despite recent political speculation over its leadership.
Addressing reporters after a series of meetings with senior party leaders, district representatives and grassroots workers in Chandigarh, Baghel said the Congress was witnessing renewed enthusiasm across the state and that the process of engaging with leaders at every level would continue in the coming weeks.
He maintained that his responsibility was to interact with every section of the organisation and strengthen coordination ahead of the electoral battle.
“There is tremendous energy among Congress workers in Punjab. I will continue meeting every leader because organisational consultation is an ongoing process,” Baghel said.
His remarks come shortly after the Congress high command reaffirmed its faith in Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, ending weeks of speculation over a possible leadership reshuffle. The clarification is being viewed as an attempt by the party to shift attention from internal debates to preparations for the Assembly elections.
Baghel rejected suggestions that differing opinions within the Congress reflected disunity. Instead, he described internal discussions as a sign of a healthy democratic culture within the party.
He said Congress encourages dialogue, debate and consultation, unlike political organisations where decisions flow only from the top. According to him, the party recognises the experience and contribution of every senior leader and ensures that organisational responsibilities are assigned accordingly.
Political observers believe the Congress is attempting to present a picture of stability after recent discussions surrounding leadership appointments. By publicly stressing organisational unity, the leadership appears keen to reassure party workers that the focus has now shifted entirely to rebuilding its electoral base.
Baghel also launched a sharp attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, alleging that it had failed to fulfil public expectations during its tenure. He claimed growing public dissatisfaction with the government had created favourable conditions for the Congress ahead of the next election.
Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, he predicted that Congress would secure a comfortable victory in the 2027 Assembly polls if the current political mood continued.
The Congress leader was equally dismissive of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prospects in Punjab. He argued that despite the BJP’s public claims of expanding its political footprint, its presence at the grassroots level remained limited.
According to Baghel, even the BJP leadership was aware of its organisational challenges in Punjab, and its optimistic projections were aimed primarily at keeping party workers motivated ahead of the elections.
With both the Congress and the BJP sharpening their political campaigns while the Aam Aadmi Party seeks to defend its government, Punjab’s political landscape is entering an increasingly competitive phase. Over the coming months, organisational consolidation, candidate selection and public outreach are expected to become central to the strategies of all three major parties as the battle for the 2027 Assembly elections gathers momentum.