New Delhi, June 12
With the All India Congress Committee (AICC) set to restructure the Punjab Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, highly placed sources in the party indicate that the high command has almost finalized its decision to retain Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa in their current positions.
Notably, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge had yesterday appointed a three‑member panel—comprising Ajay Maken, Meenakshi Natarajan and Bhajan Lal Jatav—to assess the political situation in Punjab. Tasked with preparing a comprehensive report, the panel of observers will submit its recommendations on the organisational adjustments required in the Punjab Congress to the party leadership. A final decision, sources suggest, is expected within the next few days, perhaps a week, preparing the ground for a carefully managed organisational fine-tuning ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Though the party has constituted the panel and sought a report but a close confidant of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel told The News Gateway, “After exhaustive deliberations over the past few weeks, the consensus is clear: Punjab needs continuity, not another experiment. A decisive share of the state’s electorate lies in the 40–45 age bracket and Raja Warring, a leader under 50, embodies that generational connect. Over the past four years, he has toured every corner of Punjab. Besides appointing block and district presidents, he had considerable command over the party’s rank and file in the state. To contemplate a change of guard with just months left before elections would risk repeating the disastrous misstep of 2022. Recognising these realities, the party high command has almost decided to retain Warring as PPCC president.”
Likewise, the Congress leadership, which had earlier weighed the option of replacing Partap Singh Bajwa as Leader of Opposition, now appears inclined to retain him. According to reliable sources, any move to sideline Bajwa at this juncture could likely provoke a drastic reaction, potentially undermining the party’s electoral prospects. “The name of former Education Minister Pargat Singh was doing the rounds as a possible successor but after considering all aspects, it is understood that Rahul Gandhi is not currently inclined to effect a change. Bajwa, therefore, is likely to continue holding the LoP mantle as the party heads into the crucial election season”, said a source close to AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C.Venugopal.
Meanwhile, the Congress leadership is working on a calibrated formula to ensure representation across Jat Sikh, Dalit and Hindu leaders, signaling that caste equations are being carefully balanced ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. It is learnt that former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP, Charanjit Singh Channi, a Dalit face, is likely to be accommodated as Chairman of the Election Campaign Committee — a post considered highly significant.
Sources further indicate that former Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and another Dalit leader, Dr. Amar Singh, could jointly head the Election Manifesto Committee, while former Sangrur MP and former Punjab Minister Vijay Inder Singla, a key Hindu face in the party, may be appointed as Working President of the PPCC. Notably, Singla’s name had earlier figured in discussions for the post of PPCC president.
According to several senior Congress leaders privy to developments in Punjab, Rahul Gandhi is understood to be placing greater emphasis on inclusivity and balance rather than pursuing dramatic change. Taken together, these moves suggest that the Congress high command is likely to favour stability and inclusivity over abrupt shifts, aiming to project a united and socially representative front as Punjab heads into the 2027 Assembly elections.
