Bhupesh Baghel Says Punjab Waiting to Give Full Mandate to Congress Ahead of 2027 Polls

August 8, 2026

Chandigarh: AICC General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday claimed that people in Punjab were waiting to give a full mandate to the Congress in the next Assembly elections, which may be held either in February 2027 or November this year.

Speaking during the ‘Har Booth, Congress Mazboot’ programme in Malerkotla, Baghel said he had toured 18 districts across Punjab and claimed that there was “overwhelming enthusiasm” among people for the Congress.

He alleged that voters were fed up with the Aam Aadmi Party government, which, he claimed, had “completely destroyed Punjab”.

Baghel Targets BJP, AAP Government

Baghel urged Congress workers to remain united and prepare for the upcoming electoral battle.

He also invoked the Quit India Movement of 1942, saying that while the British had left India, the BJP government at the Centre was allegedly treating Opposition leaders in a similar manner.

The former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister accused the BJP of misusing investigating agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate against political opponents and alleged that institutions had been “captured”.

Baghel also praised Gen Z, claiming that young people had raised their voice against what he described as the “dictatorship and terror” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

He also recalled Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s support for students during protests and alleged police action against them.

Raja Warring Promises Sand Mining, Police Reforms

Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that if the Congress returns to power in the state, it will free sand mining from the alleged control of the mafia.

Warring questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over earlier claims that sand mining could generate Rs 30,000 crore for the state.

He claimed that the AAP government had generated only around Rs 300 crore and questioned where the remaining amount had gone.

Warring also announced plans for police reforms, saying a Congress government would make police accountability mandatory.

He said inquiry officers responsible for ordering FIRs would be held accountable in cases where a complaint was found to have been registered willfully and wrongly, with provisions for compensation in such cases.

The Congress leaders’ statements come ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, with the party seeking to strengthen its organisation and expand its electoral base across the state.