Chandigarh, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
AICC General Secretary and Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday claimed that people across Punjab were ready to give the Congress a full mandate in the next Assembly elections, which he said could be held either in November this year or February 2027.
Addressing party workers during the ‘Har Booth, Congress Mazboot’ programme in Malerkotla, Baghel said his tour of 18 districts had convinced him that there was growing public support for the Congress and widespread dissatisfaction with the Aam Aadmi Party government.
Baghel also referred to Malerkotla’s historical significance, recalling that its then Nawab had opposed the execution by being bricked alive of the younger Sahibzadas by the Governor of Sirhind in 1705.
Calling on Congress workers to remain united and prepare for the electoral battle, Baghel drew parallels with the Quit India Movement launched in 1942 by leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was targeting Opposition leaders and attempting to weaken smaller and regional parties.
The former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister accused the Centre of misusing investigating agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, against political opponents and claimed that democratic institutions had been “captured”.
Baghel also praised Gen Z for what he described as its opposition to the “dictatorship and terror” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He claimed that student protests had contributed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and recalled Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s support for students protesting alleged police action.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, meanwhile, said the Congress would dismantle the alleged sand-mining mafia if voted to power.
Warring questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over their earlier claim that sand mining could generate Rs 30,000 crore for the state. He claimed the government had generated only Rs 300 crore and demanded an explanation regarding the remaining amount.
Warring said sand mining should be freed from mafia control if the state could generate only Rs 300 crore, arguing that this would prevent illegal profiteering.
He also announced police reforms under a future Congress government, including greater accountability in the registration of FIRs. He said inquiry officers would be held responsible for deliberately registering false FIRs and could be required to compensate victims.
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