The big move by BJP in Punjab politics has raised a question. Can Congress party also make a change in its Punjab leadership?
BJP has appointed Kewal Singh Dhillon a Jat Sikh leader and former Barnala MLA as President of Punjab BJP unit and people who watch closely politics think this is partys way of getting ready for the 2027 Punjab Assembly Elections and now people are talking about whether Congress party will rethink its strategy for leading Punjab in coming months.
Kewal Singh Dhillon is a known and experienced politician from Malwa region and he is also friends with Captain Amarinder Singh the former Chief Minister of Punjab and BJPs decision to appoint him is seen as a way to get support from Jat Sikh community in Punjab and do better in next Assembly elections.
This new development has made people wonder if Congress party will also appoint a new President for Punjab Congress which could help the party get stronger before 2027 polls. The Congress party is trying to stay strong in Punjab politics and rebuild its organization after facing some setbacks in years.
According to political experts there are a few senior leaders in Punjab Congress who might get bigger roles in future. Even though the Congress High Command has not said anything officially many names are being talked about as contenders if the party decides to change its state leadership.
One of the names being discussed is Pargat Singh who is the Jalandhar Cantt MLA and is considered a clean and experienced face in Punjab politics. Pargat Singh is a former Indian hockey player and has received Padma Shri and Arjuna Award and has also served as a Punjab Minister in past. Belonging to Doaba region which is considered a strong area for Congress, Pargat Singh is often seen as a leader who stays away from controversy and before entering politics he also served as a Superintendent of Police (SP) giving him administrative and law-and-order experience. Political observers believe his understanding of ground level issues and public sentiment could work in favour of the Congress party.
Another strong name is Rana Gurjeet Singh who is MLA from Kapurthala. Rana Gurjeet Singh is considered one of the wealthiest leaders in Punjab Congress and has remained in news due to Income Tax Department raids at his premises in past. He has previously served as a Cabinet Minister in Punjab and was also Member of Parliament from Jalandhar between 2004 and 2009 and he owns distilleries and sugar mills in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. His supporters believe his political experience and influence can help strengthen the party organisation.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is also among names being discussed and Channi is currently Member of Parliament from Jalandhar and is considered a strong Dalit face of Congress in Punjab and is believed to share a close connection with Congress High Command and since Punjab has a large Dalit population and many political experts feel Channi could play a major role if party wants to strengthen its outreach among Dalit voters ahead of 2027 Assembly polls.
Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa is another senior Congress leader whose name is often discussed for important party responsibilities and he has remained active in Punjab politics and regularly attacks Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab government over law and order, governance and other issues and recently Bajwa had claimed that several AAP MLAs were in touch with him and were ready to leave party however Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed those claims. Bajwa’s long political experience and organisational understanding keep him in discussion for a bigger role.
Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s name is also being talked about in political circles and the two-time MLA from Ludhiana West has earlier served as Cabinet Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in Punjab and though Ashu has faced allegations related to food grain transportation and tender allotment scams, some political observers believe Congress may still look at him because of his strong hold in Ludhiana politics and organisational experience.
Former Sangrur MP Vijay Inder Singla is also being seen as a possible option and Singla is considered a prominent Hindu face of the Congress party in Punjab. He currently serves as Treasurer and Spokesperson at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and he has also served as Cabinet Minister handling Education, Information Technology and Public Works Department portfolios in Punjab. Political analysts believe Congress may consider him if the party wants to balance regional and community equations in the state.
Another name in discussion is Amar Singh who is Congress Member of Parliament from Fatehgarh Sahib. Amar Singh has remained active on issues related to farmers, regional development and public welfare and has represented Fatehgarh Sahib in Lok Sabha and is known as a leader with grassroots political experience.
Meanwhile Amarinder Singh Raja Warring who is currently serving as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President is also trying to retain his position and remain in the race. Raja Warring won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana by defeating Ravneet Singh Bittu however his wife lost the Gidderbaha by election and Congress also faced setbacks in several municipal corporation elections in Punjab.
At present Congress has not made any official announcement regarding any change in Punjab leadership however after BJP’s latest political move discussions around leadership reshuffle and future strategy in Punjab politics are expected to grow stronger in the coming months as parties prepare themselves for 2027 Assembly elections.