Congress Leader Admits Past Errors, Points to Electoral Recovery
Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel openly acknowledged on Monday that his party committed significant mistakes in 2022. He stated these errors caused public anger at the time. However, Baghel confidently claimed the party has bounced back from that low point. He pointed to the 2024 parliamentary election results as clear evidence of this recovery.
No Chief Minister Face for 2027
Baghel made these remarks in Muktsar while addressing the media. He and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring were present ahead of a party rally. Journalists asked why Congress decided against naming a chief ministerial candidate before the 2027 assembly polls.
When questioned about potential backlash from specific voting blocs like Sikhs or Dalits, Baghel offered a nuanced view. He emphasized the deep roots of secularism in Punjab. While admitting caste calculations might play some role, he downplayed their overall impact.
"Some mistakes were committed in 2022, due to which people were angry with us," Baghel said. "But in the 2024 parliamentary elections, people voted for us in a big way."
Focus on Collective Leadership
The Congress leader stressed the party's belief in contesting elections through collective leadership. He did not elaborate on the specific nature of the 2022 mistakes. He also avoided clarifying if they were linked to projecting any individual leader before those polls.
It is worth recalling that ahead of the 2022 assembly elections, Congress prominently projected then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as its main face. Channi contested from two constituencies and lost both seats.
For the Congress party today, Baghel stated, the most important figures remain Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. He presented them as the party's primary leadership faces.
Criticism of Rivals' Mela Activities
Baghel also commented on political activities during the Maghi Mela. He said Congress chose not to organize a political conference at the event. This decision respected the Akal Takht's wishes to avoid political mudslinging on religious occasions.
He contrasted this with the actions of rival parties. Baghel noted that the Shiromani Akali Dal proceeded with its rallies. He also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party for planning a conference. He specifically questioned the funding for this event.
"AAP is holding a conference by spending crores of public money, as it was hiring buses," Baghel alleged. He demanded the party clarify whether it would pay for the buses itself or if the state government would bear the cost.
His statements highlight a strategic shift for Congress in Punjab, focusing on unity and learning from past electoral setbacks.
