The Congress party faces significant challenges in Punjab as it prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections, according to a detailed analysis by Jagrup Singh Sekhon. The party's poor performance in the 2022 state elections was attributed to its inability to manage internal indiscipline and failure to address key voter concerns such as unemployment, drugs, and inflation.
Historical Context and Decline
The Congress has an all-India presence but has seen a decline in popularity since the post-Rajiv Gandhi era. Its worst performance in Lok Sabha elections came in 2014 with only 42 seats and in 2019 with 54 seats, failing to achieve recognized opposition status. The party's best performance was in 1984-85, winning 404 out of 543 seats. The rise of regional parties after the 1967 general election marked the beginning of Congress's decline.
In Punjab, the Congress ruled from 1947 to 1967, winning the first three assembly elections. After the state's reorganization in 1966, it formed governments five times between 1967 and 2022, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) formed governments six times in alliance and once alone in 1985.
Performance of the 2017-22 Congress Government
The Congress government under Captain Amarinder Singh and later Charanjit Singh Channi failed to meet voter expectations. A post-poll study by Lokniti after the 2022 elections found that 85% of voters cited rising unemployment, 74% said drug problems increased, and 82% reported higher inflation. Additionally, 61% of farmers faced difficulties selling crops, and over half reported worsened economic conditions. Only 20% saw improvement.
While over 50% of voters noted improvements in education, roads, electricity, and water supply, 80% were unhappy with Amarinder Singh's performance and 53% with Channi's. The party's pro-poor policies did not translate into mass support.
Internal Indiscipline and Corruption
Internal factionalism was a major factor in Congress's poor performance. A large group of leaders and workers formed a separate faction under Amarinder Singh, later contesting elections in alliance with the BJP. Corruption among ministers and legislators embarrassed the party. The appointment of Channi as chief minister without majority MLAs' consent also alienated voters.
Revival After Bharat Jodo Yatra
Rahul Gandhi's eight-day Bharat Jodo Yatra through Punjab in January 2023 received an overwhelming response. The party won seven Lok Sabha seats in 2024 and performed well in the 2025 urban local body elections. Rahul's image transformed from an immature politician to a 'political man' due to his pro-people issues, fight against authoritarianism, support for farmers, and protection of the Constitution.
Electoral Prospects and Challenges
Scheduled Castes, constituting over one-third of Punjab's population, have been Congress's backbone since 1952. The party may benefit from national president Mallikarjun Kharge's SC community stature. The 2027 elections are expected to be multi-cornered, with a possible SAD-BJP alliance.
The AAP faces opposition for not fulfilling its 2022 mandate, with issues like economic crisis, agrarian unrest, drug trade, and governance failures. Factionalism and dominance of the Delhi leadership also hinder its prospects. The SAD struggles with electoral marginalization since 2014 and factional fights. The BJP has difficulty gaining a foothold despite a 45% Hindu population, as its outreach to Sikh bodies may not yield gains.
Key Electoral Issues
Major issues for 2027 include farmers' distress, unemployment, drug menace, law and order, gangsterism, youth migration, corruption, and problems of employees and pensioners. The Congress has appointed a three-member committee to assess ground reality, eliminate factionalism, and gauge voter pulse, indicating seriousness about the upcoming elections.
