Congress Revives Grassroots Strategy in Punjab: Bhupesh Baghel Highlights National Organisational Push Amid Rising Tensions

In a renewed drive to fortify the party’s presence across the country, Congress General Secretary and Punjab in-charge, Bhupesh Baghel, stated that 2025 has been earmarked as the year for organizational strengthening, with special focus on empowering the grassroots structure, especially in politically significant states like Punjab.

Baghel, currently on a two-day visit to Punjab, held crucial meetings with District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents and the Political Affairs Committee in an effort to galvanize the party machinery ahead of upcoming electoral battles. His visit aligns with Congress’ nationwide push to build a resilient framework down to the booth level.

“Empowering the district presidents is the core of our strategy,” Baghel said, emphasizing that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had recently interacted with all DCC leaders in the lead-up to the AICC Session held in Ahmedabad. The session, he noted, placed heavy emphasis on structural reform and grassroots revival, with Punjab seen as a key state in the party’s roadmap.

Eye on Ludhiana (West) By-election

The party is currently putting its weight behind the Ludhiana (West) by-election, which has become a high-priority political battleground. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring affirmed that the entire state leadership is committed to ensuring victory in the constituency.

“This bypoll is not just a local fight. It reflects the broader mood in Punjab where the public is disillusioned and fearful under AAP’s misgovernance,” Warring stated. He alleged that an atmosphere of fear and insecurity has been created in the state, citing recent incidents like grenade attacks on a temple and a BJP leader’s home, and the attempted desecration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statues.

“These events appear to be orchestrated to trigger polarization ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections,” he warned, accusing the ruling AAP government of deliberately deepening social fault lines.

Spy Allegations and Political Parallels

Responding to Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar’s claims that the AAP government is using intelligence services to spy on political rivals, Warring remarked, “What BJP is doing at the Centre with agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax, the AAP is mimicking in Punjab using state intelligence.”

He highlighted the rising concern among political parties over the misuse of official machinery, warning that such practices erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Tahawwur Rana Extradition: National Interest Over Politics

In a separate but significant statement, Bhupesh Baghel commented on the recent extradition of 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana to India. Clarifying the timeline of legal groundwork, he noted that most of the preparatory steps were undertaken during the UPA regime, asserting that extradition matters take time due to complex international procedures.

“Even the current NDA government took 11 years. Let’s not politicize this. National security transcends party lines. What matters is that the individual responsible for heinous acts is now in India and will face justice,” Baghel added, urging political maturity on issues of national importance.

A Critical Juncture for Punjab Politics

Baghel’s visit comes at a pivotal time for Punjab Congress, which is attempting to rebuild its political capital after being outmaneuvered by both AAP and BJP in recent elections. The party is trying to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction with the ruling AAP, which has faced criticism for governance failures, intelligence misuse, and rising security incidents.

The Congress’ sharpened focus on district-level empowerment, grassroots mobilization, and strategic leadership consolidation could mark a decisive shift in its political fortunes—particularly if it succeeds in reclaiming lost ground in Punjab through the upcoming by-elections.

As the party retools its approach for a more aggressive grassroots campaign, all eyes will remain on the effectiveness of its organizational reforms and whether these efforts can translate into electoral success.

#CongressRevival #BhupeshBaghel #PunjabPolitics #LudhianaBypoll #GrassrootsStrategy #AAPVsCongress #NationalInterest #TahawwurRana #IndianPolitics #2025PoliticalStrategy