Punjab: Congress gears up for major overhaul as Rahul Gandhi holds separate meetings with five leaders

Chandigarh: Intense political activity has begun in the state regarding the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. While the BJP is steadily adopting a more aggressive stance in Punjab and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is making every possible effort to save its only government, the main opposition party, Congress, is preparing for a major overhaul of its organizational structure. According to party sources, the Congress high command is considering a leadership change within the Punjab unit.

Sources indicate that the top leadership has held several rounds of marathon meetings on the Punjab issue, and the party is now on the verge of a major decision. A special committee, constituted to assess the political ground reality and devise a blueprint for who should lead the party in the upcoming elections, has submitted its detailed report to the high command.

Rahul Gandhi’s One-on-One Meetings with Five Leaders?

Amidst speculation regarding this major change, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi held separate one-on-one meetings in New Delhi with five of the most prominent and influential leaders of the Punjab Congress. These leaders include:
Charanjit Singh Channi (Former CM)
Partap Singh Bajwa (Leader of the Opposition)
Vijay Inder Singla (Former Minister)
Amar Singh (Rajya Sabha MP)
Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa (Former Deputy CM)

Rahul Gandhi Asked Pointed Questions?

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi posed several pointed and crucial questions to the leaders during these confidential meetings. He primarily inquired about Punjab's future political direction, the party's electoral strategy, and the weaknesses of the current state leadership. He also asked who among them could pose the strongest combined challenge to both the AAP and the BJP.

Final Deliberations on Maken and Natarajan's Report?

A senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that while there has been some delay in the decision-making process, the final decision will be announced soon. He stated that the observers were appointed only after receiving approval from party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Several rounds of review meetings regarding this matter have already been concluded with senior leaders Ajay Maken and Meenakshi Natarajan.

Who will Congress appoint as Punjab's new captain?

The contest in Punjab this time promises to be a fascinating three-way battle. While the BJP has significantly ramped up its activities in the state following the departure of several prominent leaders and MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party, the challenge facing the Congress goes beyond merely returning to power. The party must retain its traditional Sikh vote bank while simultaneously regaining its lost foothold among urban Hindu voters.

According to party sources, keeping Punjab's social fabric in mind, the Congress may adopt a new and balanced formula of 'social engineering' this time. To effectively bring together the Jat Sikh, Dalit Sikh, and Hindu communities, the party might announce appointments for the posts of state president, working president, and campaign committee chief. Currently, the names of Vijay Inder Singla, Charanjit Singh Channi, and Partap Singh Bajwa are leading the race.