New Delhi: On December 11th, Punjab AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel will review the strategy for the local body elections scheduled for December 14th in the state and finalize plans for the 2027 assembly elections.
The Zila Parishad and Block Committee elections scheduled for December 14th will provide the state’s four political parties—the ruling AAP, Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal—with an opportunity to test their ground strength before the 2027 assembly elections.
Recently, the grand old party had demanded an extension of the local body elections, alleging that its candidates were prevented from filing nominations at the behest of the ruling AAP.
Suraj Thakur, Punjab AICC secretary in-charge, told ETV Bharat that he was scheduled to tour the entire state but postponed his visit. He said he would resume his tour after the local body elections.
On November 29, Baghel discussed the local body elections with the new district heads and asked them to promote the party in villages. The grand old party has also gathered its state leaders to regain lost vote share.
Senior state leader Kuldeep Nagra told ETV Bharat that the local body elections are being fought on the popularity of local leaders, not the charisma of any prominent state leader. He said, “We are working to do well in these elections.”
A concern for the Congress is that the Akali Dal is also eyeing a comeback in the northern state through the local body elections, and if they later join hands with the BJP, it could pose a challenge to the grand old party.
Nagra said that even if the SAD and BJP come together, it will have no impact on the Congress. Nagra said, “SAD left the NDA over the issue of the three black agricultural laws against farmers. If they join hands with the BJP again, they will lose their core support base. There is an undercurrent for the Congress as people are fed up with the AAP government’s policies.”
Party insiders said that during the December 11 review, ways to bridge the rift within the state unit will also be discussed so that the Congress can be presented as a strong alternative to the ruling AAP.
A few days before the crucial AICC meeting, state unit chief Amarinder Raja Warring suspended rebel Navjot Kaur, wife of former state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had made serious allegations against the party and its leaders in the state.
Navjot Kaur alleged that the Chief Minister’s post in the Congress party was secured for ₹500 crore and also alleged that Amarinder Warring sold tickets for ₹5 crore, while senior leader SS Randhawa, the AICC in-charge of Rajasthan, had taken money in exchange for tickets there.
Party insiders said that Navjot Kaur’s comments did not sit well with the high command. Warring used her post to send a message to the state unit, calling for action against the rebel leader, while Randhawa sent her a legal notice and apologized.
Navjot Kaur hit back at both state leaders, saying she had more revelations, indicating she was in no mood to concede defeat. Congress insiders said that Navjot Kaur may be playing the BJP’s game to defame the grand old party.
Nagra said, “She’s kind of unruly. She should have expressed her concerns in the party forum. I think she’s batting for someone else. The party made Navjot Sidhu a minister and later the state unit chief. Did he pay for these posts?”
Elections for members of 23 Zila Parishads and 154 Panchayat Samitis will be held on December 14. One member will be elected from each of the 357 Zila Parishad zones and 2,863 Panchayat Samiti zones. Half the seats have been reserved for women to strengthen their participation in government at the grassroots level.
The results of the local body elections will be declared after counting of votes on December 17. Congress lost the 2022 assembly elections to AAP, but had hoped for a comeback after AAP lost to BJP in the 2025 Delhi assembly elections.
