Amritsar, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Congress has stepped up its ground-level exercise to prepare the party’s manifesto for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, seeking suggestions from party workers, traders, industrialists and representatives of different sections of society on their concerns and expectations.
A field meeting of the Congress Election Manifesto Committee was held in Amritsar, attended by committee chairman MP Dr Amar Singh Boparai, MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, MLA Pargat Singh, MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sukhsarkaria and former MLA Hardiyal Singh Kamboj.
Before beginning the field exercise, committee members paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib and prayed for a manifesto that serves the interests of Punjab, its people and future generations.
Aujla said the committee, headed by Dr Amar Singh Boparai, had already held two meetings in Chandigarh. The Amritsar programme was the first major field-level interaction, bringing together Congress leaders, office-bearers, block presidents and grassroots workers to understand issues directly from the ground.
Representatives of industrial and trade associations subsequently placed their concerns before the committee. Discussions covered industry, trade, employment, development and security, among other issues.
Dr Amar Singh Boparai said the manifesto would not be drafted by sitting inside party offices. The committee would instead consult industrialists, farmers, labourers, traders, journalists, rickshaw drivers, hotel operators and other sections of society to understand their expectations and seek practical solutions to their problems.
He identified the restoration of Amritsar’s industrial strength as an important priority. Boparai said high taxes, electricity costs and better incentives in neighbouring states had prompted some industries to move outside Punjab. If voted to power, he said, the Congress would work to restore Amritsar’s earlier industrial prominence.
The security of traders also emerged as a key concern, with representatives raising the issues of extortion and gangsterism. Congress leaders said the safety and security of the trading community would receive due attention in the manifesto.
Aujla said the document should reflect the aspirations of the people and offer practical solutions rather than merely present a list of election promises. He said the party should be able to implement the commitments responsibly if it forms the government.
The committee also discussed law and order, drugs, agriculture, industry, employment and Punjab’s financial condition. Congress leaders described the state’s debt burden as a major challenge but said it could be addressed, asserting that the party had experienced and capable leadership to improve Punjab’s finances.
Congress leaders criticised the AAP government over law and order during the programme. Party workers also burnt an effigy of AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema and raised slogans over the law-and-order situation and other issues.
On the India-Pakistan border and trade, Aujla said border security and relations with Pakistan primarily fall under the Centre’s jurisdiction. However, he said a Congress government in Punjab would make every possible effort within its powers and work with the Centre for the development of border areas and to explore possibilities for trade.
Aujla said the Congress was fully prepared for the 2027 elections and assured that the issues, expectations and concerns emerging from its field consultations would be incorporated into the party’s manifesto.
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