Kharge, Rahul meet Punjab Congress leaders to plan 2027 campaign ahead of Sangrur rally

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met senior Punjab party leaders in Delhi to discuss the organisation's preparedness and strategy for the 2027 Assembly elections, with the November 4 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur also high on the agenda.

The meeting at the party headquarters, Indira Bhavan, was attended by Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Pargat Singh, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, former state Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and senior leader Vijay Inder Singla, among others.

The discussions came as the Congress seeks to strengthen its state unit and prepare a coordinated challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the next Assembly elections.

Congress leadership stresses unity and collective approach

The Delhi consultation followed a meeting between Venugopal and Punjab Congress leaders at the party's Chandigarh headquarters on October 26. Those discussions were attended by Pilot, Pargat Singh, Bajwa, Warring and Channi, along with party MPs, MLAs and district Congress committee presidents.

Venugopal had stressed the need for discipline and cohesion within the state unit, warning that indiscipline or efforts to weaken the party from within would not be tolerated, regardless of a leader's position.

He also made it clear that the Congress would contest the 2027 Assembly elections under collective leadership. Individual leaders would not be permitted to run separate campaigns or project themselves independently as the party's face.

The Delhi meeting took forward those discussions, focusing on organisational coordination, leadership unity and preparations for the electoral contest. The party leadership has been seeking to present a united front as it begins its campaign in the state.

Sangrur rally to focus on Punjab's concerns

The meeting also took place ahead of Rahul Gandhi's 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur on November 4. The event is expected to address issues including law and order, drug trafficking, unemployment, farmers' concerns and the rights of Punjab's people.

Congress leaders have said the rally will also raise questions over the alleged failure of the state and Union governments to deliver justice to the people. The party is expecting a large turnout, with preparations involving mobilisation across several Assembly constituencies.

PPCC president Pargat Singh visited Sangrur on Friday to inspect the rally venue and review arrangements, including basic facilities. He also met senior leaders and workers at Singla's residence to discuss participation from different constituencies and coordination for the event.

Singla attacks AAP government over law and order, drug menace

Separately, Singla accused the AAP government of failing to maintain law and order and curb the drug menace in Punjab. Addressing a press conference in Patiala, the senior Congress leader, who chairs the party's Election Management and Coordination Committee, said traders, industrialists and entrepreneurs were increasingly reluctant to invest in the state or expand their businesses because of security concerns.

He alleged that the government had not delivered on its promises of a drug-free Punjab, employment opportunities and improved social security despite being in power for more than four years.

Singla also questioned the state government's financial management and spending priorities amid mounting debt. He said commitments such as monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 for women, higher pensions, regularisation of contractual employees and employment generation remained largely unfulfilled. He demanded that the government explain its record on these promises.

Congress holds Centre responsible for cross-border smuggling

Speaking about the November 4 rally, Singla said it would highlight Punjab's pressing concerns, particularly the law-and-order situation, drugs and unemployment, besides what he described as the failure of both the state and Union governments to deliver justice.

He also criticised the BJP-led Union government over its handling of cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons, arguing that the Centre could not evade responsibility for the growing narcotics problem in Punjab.

The Congress has been positioning the Sangrur rally as an important part of its preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. The party is seeking to use the event to raise governance and public safety concerns while strengthening its organisational presence across the state.