Punjab Congress on Tuesday suffered a significant setback as party’s former MLA Dalvir Singh Khangura ‘Goldy’ tendered his resignation from all party posts, expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s decisions. Speculations are rife that Goldy may align with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and emerge as its potential candidate from the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency.
Goldy, a prominent figure in Punjab politics and a former MLA from Dhuri, had been actively involved in the party’s election campaigns for the past three months. However, his disillusionment grew apparent when the Congress overlooked him and nominated Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a three-time MLA, for Sangrur — a home constituency of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Despite efforts by party leaders, including Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, to persuade him to stay, Goldy remained firm in his decision to resign. In a terse three-line resignation letter addressed to Warring, he expressed his “displeasure” with the state leadership and relinquished his primary membership from the party.
Taking to social media to announce his resignation, Goldy emphasized the gravity of his decision, acknowledging the difficulties it entailed for him and his family. This move follows Goldy’s earlier expressions of discontentment over the denial of the party ticket, urging the Congress high command not to betray the trust of its members.
Beginning his journey as a student leader at Panjab University in Chandigarh, Goldy’s political journey has seen both triumphs and setbacks. Despite an unsuccessful bid in the 2022 assembly polls from Dhuri against Bhagwant Mann and the subsequent bypoll for Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, Goldy remained optimistic about his future in the party. However, the recent turn of events has led him to sever ties with the Congress, leaving behind a void in the party’s electoral strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
A day before, Goldy had hinted at a potential departure from his political roots, sparking widespread speculation. Goldy’s cryptic social media post on Monday alluded to his contemplation of a new political path, suggesting dissatisfaction with his current party affiliation. As Goldy had also shared a photo indicating his departure for the national capital, rumours swirled about his possible induction into the BJP.
Earlier also, Goldy had taken to the social media to openly express his dissatisfaction over declaration of Khaira’s candidature from Sangrur. However, after Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, and Khaira personally reached out to him, Goldy had agreed to join the party campaign and support Khaira’s candidature.
Now with Goldy’s departure, the Congress, especially Khaira, faces a challenge in Sangrur, a key constituency in Punjab politics. As the party grapples with internal dissent and external competition, the BJP's potential absorption of Goldy into its ranks could reshape the political landscape in the State, especially Sangrur — which the Chief Minister Mann had recently dubbed as “AAP’s capital”.
Amidst this uncertainty, the BJP awaits an opportunity to leverage Goldy’s potential shift, while BJP leaders like former MLAs Arvind Khanna and Kewal Singh Dhillon have also emerged as contenders for the party ticket from Sangrur.
The ruling AAP has fielded the Cabinet Minister and Barnala MLA Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer from the seat, currently represented by Khalistan sympathizer Simranjit Singh Mann of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar).
