Congress general secretary in-charge of Punjab Sachin Pilot on Sunday expressed confidence that his party will form its government in the state with absolute majority and predicted that main contest will be between the ruling AAP and the grand old party.
Pilot also claimed that people of Punjab have lost faith in the AAP government and they want 'badlav' (change) and want to bring the Congress to power.
Punjab Assembly elections are likely to be held early next year.
"The Congress will form its government with absolute majority in Punjab," Pilot, accompanied by newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh, told reporters at party's state headquarters here.
Pargat Singh takes charge as Punjab Congress chief
Singh, a three-time MLA from Jalandhar Cantt, on Sunday assumed charge at a ceremony at the Punjab Congress Bhawan here with senior party leaders including Partap Singh Bajwa, Vijay Inder Singla, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Charanjit Singh Channi present. A large number of Congress workers from the state also reached Chandigarh on the occasion.
Singh, 61, a former Olympian and ex-Indian hockey captain, replaced Ludhiana MP Warring as the Punjab Congress chief.
Speaking to reporters, Pilot said, "Pargat Singh has assumed his charge. Former Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring worked very hard for four-and-a-half years. Now, Pargat Singh has been entrusted with the responsibility."
He said all Congress leaders are unitedly getting down to work with just four months left for the elections.
Pilot predicts AAP-Congress contest, attacks ruling party
"People of Punjab have lost faith in AAP government and want 'badlav'. They want to get rid of this government," he said, adding the people want to bring the Congress back to power.
Many parties may fight the Punjab Assembly polls, but the main contest will be between AAP and Congress, Pilot claimed.
During its four-and-a-half years of rule, the AAP government has been badly exposed on drug, crime, and corruption issues, he said.
On whether the Congress will go with a chief ministerial face for the elections, Pilot said, "It has been a tradition in our party that we fight the election together and after we get the people's blessings in the polls, it is decided who is to be entrusted with what responsibility."
The Congress general secretary said Pargat Singh, the new Punjab unit chief, has been entrusted with a big responsibility.
Referring to Singh, a hockey legend, Pilot said, "He has always been a team player. He has been captain of the Indian hockey team, won medals for the country and played at the Olympic level. He is filled with the true spirit of sportsmanship."
"Under Rahul ji and Kharge ji's leadership, we will fight the elections and win," he said.
Pilot targets CEC over 'vote chori', backs INDIA bloc protest
On the SIR issue, Pilot said Congress workers from across the country will reach Delhi on Monday for the INDIA bloc's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on the 'vote chori' issue.
Those who believe in the Constitution and democracy, all of them will have to come forward, he said.
Pilot was also asked about INDIA bloc's recent protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Pilot said, "I am surprised that we are seeking resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, but if we ask questions from the CEC, why are BJP spokespersons giving a reply... Why are BJP spokespersons defending him? It has been proved beyond doubt that there has been 'vote chori' in the country, responsibility of murdering democracy lies on them and the government has aided them."
But there is no one bigger than the people of the country, he said.
"Today, the public is on roads and there is anger among the youth. Names of 13 crore voters have been cut. When irregularities will be committed in polls, there will be reaction from the public... The CEC will have to go," said Pilot.
"Rahul ji and Kharge ji have said they are with the people and with democracy," he said.