- Congress launches 2027 Punjab poll campaign from Sangrur.
- Malwa region crucial with 69 Assembly seats.
- Rally to address drug crisis, challenge AAP.
The Congress has chosen the Malwa region to kick-start its campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge will attend the 'Insaaf Rally' scheduled to be held in Sangrur, Punjab, on November 4. According to Punjab Congress leaders, the rally will mark the formal launch of the party's campaign for the 2027 Assembly polls.
The November 4 rally is an important step in the Congress's efforts to return to power in Punjab. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh said on Tuesday that the rally was being organised to raise a strong voice for the state's rights, justice and a brighter future. He added that Punjab was currently facing several major challenges.
But why has the Congress chosen Malwa to launch its campaign? And why Sangrur?
The answer lies in the region's electoral significance. Malwa has the highest number of Assembly seats in Punjab, making it crucial for any political party seeking to form the government. No party can afford to overlook this region in its bid for power.
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The Congress has maintained that it has consistently stood by the people of Punjab and continued to fight for the protection of their constitutional and democratic rights.
According to the party, the Sangrur rally will provide an important platform to highlight the concerns and demands of Punjab's people at the national level.
Malwa Has 69 Assembly Seats
Punjab is broadly divided into three regions: Malwa, Majha and Doaba. The state has a total of 117 Assembly constituencies, of which 69 fall in the Malwa region.
Sangrur is also part of Malwa, which accounts for nearly 59 per cent of the state's total Assembly seats. By comparison, Majha has 25 seats, while Doaba has 23.
This makes Malwa the most electorally significant region in Punjab. It includes districts such as Sangrur, Bathinda, Patiala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Faridkot, Moga and Ferozepur.
Moreover, Sangrur is the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In recent months, the district has been in the news over protests and allegations concerning drug abuse and police action.
One major controversy involved Gulzar Singh, a Sangrur resident and member of the Valmiki community, who died after allegedly facing harassment for confronting a minister over Punjab's worsening drug problem.
Singh reportedly took the extreme step following a confrontation with Minister Cheema at a public event, where he raised concerns about drug addiction affecting his son. Following the incident, he was allegedly subjected to intimidation, mental distress and pressure from local leaders and panchayat members to issue a public apology for questioning the minister.
His death became a political issue, with opposition parties raising questions about the circumstances surrounding it.
The incident triggered protests by the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, BJP and other organisations.
There have also been protests in Mansa and Sangrur over suspected drug-related deaths, with demonstrators demanding action against drug traffickers.
The Congress is expected to raise these issues at the Sangrur rally and question the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's handling of the drug crisis and law-and-order situation in the state.
Holding the rally in Bhagwant Mann's home district also gives the Congress an opportunity to directly challenge the Chief Minister on issues concerning his own constituency and region.
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AAP's Big Win in Malwa in 2022
The 2022 Punjab Assembly elections demonstrated just how important Malwa is to the state's electoral politics. The Aam Aadmi Party won 66 of the region's 69 Assembly seats, playing a decisive role in the party's victory across Punjab.
The Congress, meanwhile, lost power in the state and is now looking to regain its lost political ground, particularly in Malwa.
By launching its campaign from this region, the Congress wants to challenge the AAP on its strongest electoral turf and rebuild its support base ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Big Test for New Punjab Congress Chief Pargat Singh
The November 4 rally will also be a significant test for newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to address the gathering, underlining the importance the party is attaching to the event.
The Congress has set a target of mobilising one lakh people for the rally.
The gathering will test Pargat Singh's ability to bring party leaders, workers and supporters together. The Punjab Congress has witnessed internal differences and factionalism in the past, posing challenges to the party's efforts to present a united front.
With the 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the Congress will be keen to use the Sangrur rally to demonstrate organisational strength, project unity and signal that it is serious about reclaiming power in Punjab.