In a move that could intensify the simmering power struggle within the Punjab Congress, its president Pargat Singh has announced a statewide outreach campaign, “Punjab Mangda Insaaf”, beginning November 11 — a day before party’s campaign committee chairman Charanjit Singh Channi’s proposed “Jawani Sambhal, Jatta” cycle yatra.
His outreach is also being viewed as an attempt to strengthen his claim to being the party’s chief ministerial face for the 2027 assembly elections. The timing of the announcement has raised eyebrows within the party, with the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) programme being seen as an attempt to assert the organisation’s independent identity and prevent Channi’s political exercise from overshadowing the state unit’s activities. The move assumes significance as Channi has been making elaborate preparations for his cycle rally, reportedly devoting considerable resources to turning it into a major political event. The latest announcement comes amid persistent factionalism in the state unit, competing leadership ambitions and a lack of clarity over the party’s CM face. “Charanjit Singh Channi would also reach out to people across different assembly constituencies through the ‘Jawani Sambhal, Jatta’ cycle rally.
Party insiders said some senior Congress leaders had advised Pargat to schedule the programme for Wednesday, a day ahead of Channi’s proposed yatra. Some leaders said there was growing concern that Channi’s campaign was increasingly being projected around his personal leadership rather than the Congress organisation. Five to six senior Congress leaders will lead the campaign in different regions and take the party’s message to every household,” Pargat said.
On Wednesday, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other senior Congress leaders will join Pargat to launch the campaign.
