Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday made a strong statement of unity within the party, affirming that he and the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Partap Singh Bajwa were working together to rebuild the party’s strength in the state. Warring’s remarks came at a significant party event at Dera Bassi, which was widely seen as a show of strength in response to ongoing speculation about a possible leadership change and growing factionalism within the Punjab Congress unit.
The event, attended by senior Congress leaders and hundreds of party workers, marked the launch of the ‘Judega Block, Jittegi Congress’ campaign — an initiative aimed at revitalizing the party at the grassroots level ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. The timing of the event was crucial, as it came a day after Congress’ Punjab affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel categorically dismissed reports of a leadership shuffle in the state unit through a social media post. Baghel, Chhattisgarh’s former Chief Minister, also appreciated both Warring and Bajwa, and other senior leaders for working in cohesion and setting an example for other states.
‘Reduced to 18 seats from 58 due to factionalism’
Warring did not hold back in addressing concerns about factionalism within the Punjab Congress, reminding party workers of the devastating consequences of internal divisions. “We had 58 seats in 2017, and because of infighting, we were reduced to just 18 in 2022. If we do not learn from our past, we will suffer again,” he said.
He asserted that Punjab was the only state where the Congress president and the Leader of Opposition were working in complete harmony, contrary to the narrative being pushed by some sections of the media. His comments were a direct rebuttal to the ongoing murmurs of discord within the state unit, which gained momentum in recent weeks with speculation about the high command considering a change in leadership. However, Baghel’s social media post, the day before, put an end to the speculation, stating that the party was fully behind Warring and that there was no discussion on replacing him.
“This kind of gossip only weakens the party and distracts us from our real goal — defeating the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab and bringing Congress back to power in 2027,” Warring said, adding, “I have no interest in political races; my only focus is to ensure the Congress wins.”
In an apparent reference to speculation about his political ambitions, Warring dismissed the idea of being in a race for the chief ministerial post. “I am not in any race. My goal is simple — I want to see Congress return to power. My biggest achievement would be to see Rahul Gandhi put his hand on my shoulder and tell me, ‘You did it,’ while the next Chief Minister of Punjab takes the oath,” he said.
The event also saw participation from several Congress heavyweights, including Bajwa and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi, who echoed Warring’s call for unity and grassroots engagement.
‘Judega Block, Jittegi Congress’ – A Grassroots Initiative
The newly-launched campaign is seen as Warring’s strategic move to solidify his position within the party by directly engaging with workers and strengthening block-level leadership. Under this initiative, the party will focus on all 234 blocks in Punjab, ensuring that every booth and block-level worker is actively involved in the party’s revival efforts. “Winning elections is not about top leaders making statements. It is about the hard work of grassroots workers,” Warring told the gathering. He stressed the importance of continuous engagement, saying, “We must connect with every household, understand their concerns, and work on solutions. That’s how we will ensure Congress' victory in 2027.” The campaign will see senior leaders visiting block-level meetings, interacting with local workers, and addressing their grievances. Warring himself has committed to personally visiting all 234 blocks in the coming months.
Attack on AAP and BJP
Punjab Congress leaders used the platform to take sharp jabs at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, accusing Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of failing the state on multiple fronts. “AAP came with big promises, but Punjab is in a worse state today than it was three years ago. People are disillusioned, and they are looking towards Congress again,” Warring said. The party also targeted the BJP, criticizing its attempts to make inroads in Punjab. “The BJP has no space in Punjab. They tried to use defections and manipulations, but Punjab will never accept them,” Bajwa added.
Roadmap for 2027
As part of its election strategy, the Congress is focusing on four key aspects under the ‘Judega Block, Jittegi Congress’ campaign — first, strengthening block and booth-level structures to ensure a direct connection with voters; secondly, engaging with grassroots workers through monthly meetings and regular outreach programs; thirdly, addressing critical state issues, including unemployment, drug abuse, and law and order failures under the AAP government; and lastly, countering misinformation and false narratives about factionalism within the party.
“Every block president and booth worker will be empowered to take decisions and communicate directly with the leadership. We are not just preparing for elections; we are preparing to govern,” Warring said.
The campaign also built on Congress’ strong performance in Punjab during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it won seven out of 13 seats, emerging as the single largest party in the state. Leaders believed that the party’s growing support base should be further consolidated through focused grassroots efforts.
“We will not let this momentum go waste. Punjab has always been with Congress, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that the people continue to trust us,” Warring affirmed.