Congress faces setback in Punjab bypoll; internal criticism intensifies ahead of 2027 elections

After winning seven seats in the recent Lok Sabha Elections, Congress has faced a setback in the by-election results for four assembly seats declared on Saturday. The party suffered losses in its strongholds of Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak and Chabbewal. However, the only silver lining for Congress came in Barnala, where newcomer Kuldeep Kala Dhillon won in what has traditionally been an AAP stronghold.

While the state unit president, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, attributed the party's losses to the absence of SAD candidates, sources on the inside suggest the by-poll results are likely to lead to accountability within the state party unit. The poll outcomes would have implications not only for Raja Warring — whose wife, Amrita Warring, lost in Gidderbaha — but also for senior leader and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Randhawa, whose wife, Jatinder Kaur, lost in Dera Baba Nanak.

Interestingly, the absence of SAD candidates seems to have caused a shift in Akali voters toward AAP. It remains to be seen whether this shift is temporary or if it would continue as the 2027 assembly elections approach.

Sources from the party suggest criticism is mounting against Raja Warring. Some within Congress are suggesting that, after being elected as MP, he should hand over the state leadership to someone else. With AAP appointing a Hindu leader, Aman Arora, as its state chief, there is growing discussion within Congress about the need to prioritise Hindu and OBC leadership.