Congress Factionalism Exposed After Ludhiana By-Election Loss
Punjab Politics: The defeat in the Ludhiana West by-election has once again brought factionalism to the forefront within the Punjab Congress. Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s loss has led to resignations from three senior leaders – Bharat Bhushan Ashu himself, initially resigned from his position as the executive president, and subsequently, former Patiala Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh and former Faridkot MLA Kuldeep Singh ‘Kikki Dhillon’ have also stepped down from their positions as vice presidents of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC). This development is being viewed as a serious warning for the party as it looks ahead to the 2027 Assembly elections.
Resignations Followed Immediate Loss
Following his defeat in the Ludhiana West constituency, Bharat Bhushan Ashu resigned, taking responsibility for the outcome. Subsequently, Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh and former Faridkot MLA Kuldeep Singh ‘Kikki Dhillon’ have also resigned from their positions as vice presidents of the PCC. These resignations indicate a deepening of divisions within the party.
Factionalism Cited as Key Reason for Defeat
The Congress suffered a crushing defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections, and at that time, internal discord was widely considered the primary reason. This pattern has been repeated in the 2025 by-election as well. There is a growing perception within the party that the defeat in Ludhiana was due to Bharat Bhushan Ashu not receiving sufficient unity and support from the party. He reportedly did not align himself with Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Amarinder Singh Raja Vading during the election campaign.
Message Reaches Across Punjab
Several senior Congress leaders believe that the Ludhiana election was not just about losing a single seat, but it conveyed a message across Punjab that the party is internally divided. While Ashu took responsibility for the loss, the absence of the party’s top leadership in his campaign created the perception among voters that the Congress is not united. This could prove to be a significant setback for the Congress in future elections.
Eyes on Bhupesh Baghel’s Role
The Congress high command has appointed Chhattisgarh former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as the in-charge of Punjab Congress. All eyes are now on Baghel to address the internal divisions within the party. He has indicated that he will soon meet with Punjab’s leaders to assess the situation and take steps to maintain discipline.
Challenge for Raja Vading
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Amarinder Singh Raja Vading is also concerned that the perception of factionalism could harm the Congress for a long time. Sources suggest he may meet with the high command to mitigate the damage to the party’s image. The ‘solo fight’ by Ashu is also being considered as a contributing factor to the defeat in Ludhiana.
Resignation Based on Ethical Considerations
Former Faridkot MLA Kuldeep Singh ‘Kikki Dhillon’ has also resigned from his position as vice president of the PCC. He has clarified that his resignation is not due to any resentment, but rather a decision taken on ethical grounds. He stated that the party made efforts towards team work during the by-election, but, respecting the government’s pressure and the voters’ decision, he decided to step down from his position.
