Punjab Congress warned against infighting as Rahul Gandhi prepares to launch 2027 poll campaign

The Congress high command has warned its faction-ridden Punjab unit that internal sabotage, public disputes and individual political campaigns will invite strict disciplinary action, regardless of a leader’s stature, as the party prepares for the high-stakes 2027 Assembly elections.

The warning was delivered on Monday by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal during a closed-door strategy and review meeting with senior Punjab leaders. Punjab affairs in-charge Sachin Pilot also attended the meeting, which focused on resolving differences within the state unit, strengthening coordination and preparing for the election campaign.

Venugopal directed leaders to set aside factional rivalries, resolve grievances through direct discussions and organise all programmes under the Congress banner rather than promoting individual campaigns. He also reiterated that the party would enter the 2027 Assembly elections without projecting a chief ministerial candidate in advance.

The meeting comes amid continuing efforts by the central leadership to improve coordination within the Punjab Congress, where factional tensions have persisted through changes in the state leadership and the appointment of a new party affairs in-charge.

Rahul Gandhi to launch campaign from Sangrur

The Congress is set to intensify its campaign against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government with a rally by senior leader Rahul Gandhi in Sangrur on November 4. The district is the home turf and political stronghold of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Venugopal and Pilot said the rally, titled the ‘Hisab Mango’ rally, would target the AAP government over law and order, governance and what the Congress describes as unfulfilled promises.

The central leadership has set a target of mobilising one lakh people for the rally, making preparations for the event a key priority for the state unit.

“Our leader Rahul is coming here on November 4. He has a great connection with the people of Punjab. There will be a mammoth rally,” Venugopal said.

He added that Rahul’s vision and ideas were finding support across the country, particularly among Generation Z and younger voters, and expressed confidence that people in Punjab were also looking forward to his visit.

The rally is expected to mark a high-profile phase of the Congress’s campaign against the AAP government ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Senior leaders told to put party before personal ambitions

The closed-door meeting was attended by Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Jalandhar MP and former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and other senior state functionaries.

A senior Punjab Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Venugopal had made it clear that the party would not tolerate internal sabotage, public bickering or attempts by regional heavyweights to project themselves as independent centres of authority.

Venugopal also urged leaders from rival camps to communicate directly and settle their differences instead of allowing disputes to spill into the public domain.

“You will be the ones who will become chief minister, ministers, or chairpersons of boards,” he told the leaders, adding that individual ambitions could be accommodated only after the party won the election.

The high command’s message was intended to ensure that competing leadership claims did not undermine the Congress’s preparations for the next Assembly polls. Venugopal made clear that disciplinary action would not depend on a leader’s seniority or political standing.

The party has also ruled out declaring a chief ministerial face before the election, signalling that its immediate focus would be on collective campaigning and securing an electoral victory.

Leadership changes amid continuing factional tensions

The latest intervention follows organisational changes within the Punjab Congress. Pilot replaced Bhupesh Baghel as the party’s affairs in-charge for the state, while Pargat took over as state Congress president from Warring.

The changes were part of the high command’s efforts to improve coordination and address factionalism in a unit where senior leaders have often operated through competing camps.

Venugopal’s instructions seek to ensure that leaders work under a common party platform and that campaign activities are coordinated centrally. The meeting also reviewed arrangements to mobilise party workers and supporters for Rahul’s November 4 rally.

Pargat said the Congress was united in its preparations for the election and was working on a strategy to challenge the AAP government.

“The Congress is finalising a sound ground strategy to counter the ruling regime,” he said.

Venugopal predicts Congress return to power

Venugopal expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in Punjab in 2027, declaring that winning the state was the party’s primary objective.

“Our goal is to win Punjab. Protecting peace and communal harmony in the state remains our foremost priority,” he said.

He accused the AAP government of pushing Punjab towards ruin during its nearly five years in office, alleging that the law and order situation had deteriorated, drug trafficking networks were spreading and unemployment continued to pose a serious challenge for young people.

Pilot also attacked the AAP government over drug trafficking and law and order, arguing that the Congress was the only party consistently exposing the ruling party and holding it accountable.

“Badlav (change) will definitely happen,” Pilot said, expressing confidence in the Congress’s electoral prospects.

With the November 4 rally approaching, the leadership is seeking to combine an aggressive campaign against the AAP government with tighter internal discipline. The high command’s message is that the Punjab Congress must resolve its factional disputes and demonstrate unity if it hopes to mount a serious challenge in the 2027 Assembly elections.