Punjab Congress has set its sights on a major political comeback, drawing up a detailed strategy to strengthen its organizational grip and counter the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the 2027 Assembly elections. In a high-stakes meeting of the state's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) in New Delhi on Thursday, party leaders resolved to launch a grassroots outreach campaign, end factionalism, and capitalize on AAP’s internal turmoil to regain lost ground.

The Congress leadership, under the newly-appointed Punjab affairs’ in-charge and Chhattisgarh’s former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has decided that 2025 will be dedicated entirely to rebuilding the party at the block and booth levels. A special team of leaders will be assigned responsibilities to oversee district-wise mobilization, ensuring direct engagement with voters. The party will also actively reach out to AAP MLAs and leaders looking for an exit, following reports of growing discontent within the ruling party.

“Today, a meeting of the Punjab Political Affairs Committee was held. In this meeting, discussions took place on six key agendas, and everyone shared their views…This year is dedicated to strengthening the organization, so all discussions were focused in that direction. The Congress party is strong in Punjab, but we need to work on micro-management here,” said Baghel, after the meeting.

“In the next meeting, we will prepare an agenda on issues concerning the Punjab Government and take it down to the booth level. As part of this, there will be a training program, and booth committees will also be formed,” said Baghel, adding “We will fight for the issues of Punjab’s farmers, women, youth, Dalits, and every section of society.”

With internal unity identified as the biggest challenge, Baghel and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring laid out strict directives for leaders to refrain from public infighting. “Factionalism cost us dearly in 2022. This time, it won’t,” Warring asserted. The “Judega Block, Jeetegi Congress’ campaign will be expanded, making every leader accountable for on-ground party building, he said. 

With 2025 designated as the year of rebuilding, the Congress roadmap for Punjab includes a hyper-local outreach program, where leaders will take charge of individual districts and constituencies. A direct connect with voters, through door-to-door campaigns, will be maintained to highlight the failures of the AAP government.

A decision has also been taken to welcome defectors from AAP and other parties, signaling an open-door policy for disgruntled leaders. At the same time, there will be strict monitoring of factionalism, with senior leadership ensuring internal unity. A focus will be laid on upcoming municipal and panchayat elections, using them as a litmus test before 2027. 

Strengthening Ground Presence 

Baghel, while addressing the senior leadership, stressed the need for continuous engagement with people rather than seasonal political activity. “Congress will now be seen in every village and town, standing with people in their struggles. We won’t just show up before elections,” he said. Party leaders have been directed to spend more time in their respective constituencies, regularly hold meetings with workers, and ensure that the Congress narrative is amplified against the AAP Government’s governance failures. The next meeting on March 18 with Congress MLAs will focus on finalizing the roles of senior leaders in this campaign.

AAP in Crisis, Cong Sees Opportunity

A significant part of the discussion revolved around the ongoing instability in AAP. Several reports suggested that some AAP MLAs and leaders are unhappy with the party’s functioning, and Congress sees this as a moment to rebuild its base by welcoming the defectors. Baghel, when asked about Congress’s claims that AAP leaders are in touch with them, responded, “AAP is in chaos. Their ship is sinking, and people are looking for an escape. It’s only a matter of time.”  This marked a clear strategic shift, with Congress actively scouting for potential turncoats, something the party had largely refrained from doing in Punjab’s previous Assembly elections. 

Cong Hits Out at Punjab Budget Session Duration 

Punjab Government’s decision to limit the Budget session to just six days drew sharp criticism from the Congress. Baghel slammed the move, stating, “How can crucial issues be debated in such a short time? AAP has no faith in democratic principles. They want to avoid tough questions.” Congress leaders have decided to take an aggressive stance in the Assembly, questioning the AAP Government over its handling of Punjab’s finances, law and order, and the unfulfilled promises made to voters.