The Congress has launched its 'Punjab Mangda Insaf' campaign as part of preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Under the initiative, party leaders will visit villages and cities to listen to people's concerns and gather suggestions, which will be considered while preparing the party's election manifesto. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi will also begin a cycling march on November 12.
The campaign was launched on Wednesday at the Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh in the presence of Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other senior party leaders. Congress leaders said the party would consult the public before finalising its election promises.
The initiative will involve consultations with different sections of society, including farmers, young people and traders. The party plans to use the suggestions received during these interactions while preparing its election manifesto.
The Punjab Congress has decided that senior party leaders will visit different areas and interact directly with residents. The meetings will focus not only on public gatherings but also on discussions about everyday issues affecting local communities.
According to Pargat Singh, different regions of Punjab face different challenges. Farmers in some areas are concerned about agriculture and crop procurement, while unemployment remains an issue for young people. Complaints relating to drug abuse and law and order have also emerged.
The Congress wants to understand public opinion on these issues. Separate programmes will be organised across the Malwa, Majha and Doaba regions. Party MLAs, MPs and other senior leaders will also participate in the interactions.
The campaign will include consultations with people associated with agriculture, industry and the IT sector. The Congress said suggestions received from the public would not remain limited to election speeches but would also be considered during the preparation of its manifesto.
The Congress is changing its approach to preparing its election manifesto. Party leaders believe that understanding Punjab's requirements will require direct consultations with people across different districts.
The manifesto committee has already sought suggestions from senior party leaders, MLAs and MPs. The next phase will involve gathering feedback from the general public.
Issues concerning farmers, employment opportunities for young people, measures to curb drug abuse, traders' concerns and matters related to government administration will form part of these discussions.
The Congress has not yet finalised the promises that will be included in its election manifesto. The party said the suggestions would be considered after consultations with different sections of society are completed.
Amid the launch of the Congress campaign, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is scheduled to begin a cycling march on Thursday, November 12. The march, titled 'Jawani Sambhal Jatta', will start from Sri Chamkaur Sahib.
The first phase of the march will run from November 12 to November 19, covering approximately 625 kilometres. Cyclists will pass through 27 Assembly constituencies in Punjab, with the march scheduled to conclude in Khanna on November 19.
According to the party's preparations, approximately 2,000 cyclists are expected to participate. Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot is scheduled to flag off the march. Several senior Congress leaders are also expected to join along the route.
The march will focus on issues concerning young people. The Congress plans to interact with residents about drug abuse, corruption and law and order. The programme also includes marches across different Assembly constituencies and consultations with local residents.
The Congress organised a major rally in Sangrur on November 4, attended by Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and several other senior leaders. Following the rally, the party began preparations to expand its political activities across Punjab.
The party is now focusing on smaller towns and villages alongside large public gatherings. Pargat Singh wants Congress leaders to maintain regular contact with people in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, the Congress has also started working on candidate selection for the Assembly elections. According to Pargat Singh, the party is conducting surveys and holding meetings at different levels. It is working towards releasing its first list of candidates soon.
Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and former Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring were absent from the launch of the 'Punjab Mangda Insaf' campaign, drawing attention in political circles.
Reports of differences among senior leaders in the Punjab Congress have surfaced previously. The launch of two major public outreach programmes within a day of each other has also prompted discussions about leadership and coordination within the party.
However, Channi is currently involved in preparations for his cycling march. Efforts are also underway to bring senior party leaders together for the programme. His absence from a single event, therefore, does not establish the existence of any new dispute.
The Aam Aadmi Party currently governs Punjab. The Congress is preparing to make drug abuse, unemployment, farmers' concerns and law and order key issues in the next Assembly elections.
In the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party won 92 of the state's 117 seats, while the Congress secured 18 seats.
The Congress is now increasing its public outreach activities as part of its efforts to strengthen its position in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
Through the 'Punjab Mangda Insaf' campaign and Channi's cycling march, the party plans to gather public feedback from different parts of Punjab. The extent of public participation and the suggestions incorporated into the election manifesto are yet to be determined.
