Ahead of the Assembly poll, due in early 2027, the Indian National Congress on Friday (July 31, 2026) kicked off its mass mobilisation programme at the booth level, even as the conspicuous absence of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who is believed to be upset with the party’s revamp, again triggered the question surrounding the party’s internal cohesion.

Congress’s general secretary in charge for Punjab, Bhupesh Bhagel, who is on a nine-day visit to Punjab, presided over the event at Fatehgarh Sahib.

Addressing the workers, Mr. Baghel said the ruling Aam Aadmi Party was on the way out, the Congress was the only option for the State, even as he predicted a five-cornered contest in Punjab this time. He said the Congress was faced with a challenge from two governments, the BJP government at the centre and the AAP in Punjab. “They are two sides of the same coin. There will be two more players, the Akalis and the Waris Punjab De,” he said.

Channi’s options shrink as Congress refuses to budge in Punjab

He said both the BJP and the AAP have no faith in the Constitution. “Punjab is unsafe with drugs being peddled freely and the gangsters ruling the roost. Also, people are killed in broad daylight with criminals who have no fear of law,” he alleged.

Asserting that the Congress party was strong and united, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, “There can always be differences of opinion, which is quite natural.”