Punjab Congress Demands Rs 48,000 Back Pay for Women Ahead of 2027 Polls
In a fiery political rally in Bathinda, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring transformed the event into a math lesson, urging women across the state to demand Rs 48,000 in back pay from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. As the countdown to the 2027 elections begins, Warring accused the ruling party of attempting to buy votes with a last-minute rollout of its promised Rs 1,000 monthly stipend.
The Politics of '12 x 4': A Simple Calculation for Justice
Addressing a massive MGNREGA Abhiyan rally on Tuesday, Warring centered his campaign on a straightforward calculation. He argued that if the AAP government promised Rs 1,000 per month but failed to deliver for four years, each woman is owed a significant debt. Warring told supporters that women should demand Rs 48,000 for the first four years of the AAP tenure, based on 12 months times 4 years equaling 48 months. He further claimed the total entitlement for the full five-year term should be Rs 60,000.
Warring emphatically stated to the crowd: Do not fall for just eight months of payments. Demand what is your right, and if this government does not keep its word, vote for the Congress. This rally marks a strategic push by the Congress to highlight unmet promises and rally support among women voters.
Allegations of State Misuse and Failing Law and Order
The rally also served as a platform for Warring to attack the AAP's administrative ethics. He alleged that the state is burning through taxpayers' money for partisan gain, specifically criticizing the presence of the chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) at what he described as political rallies disguised as official functions.
Warring further invoked the emotional case of the late rapper Sidhu Moosewala, noting that the artist's parents were forced to protest just to secure their son's earnings. He called this situation a symbol of the state's failing law and order, aiming to underscore broader governance issues under the current leadership.
National Stakes: Federal Grievances and Trade Concerns
Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel shifted the focus to federal grievances, targeting the BJP-led central government. On labour rights, Baghel slammed the replacement of the Congress-era MGNREGA scheme with VB GRAMG, claiming the move killed the spirit of worker protections.
On international trade, Baghel warned that a looming trade deal with US President Donald Trump would be deadly for Indian farmers. He alleged the central government had buckled under pressure from Washington, prioritizing US interests over domestic agriculture, thus adding a national dimension to the rally's agenda.
The Road to 2027: Congress's Vision for Punjab and Beyond
The event concluded with a spirited protest march through the bazaars of Bathinda. Senior Congress members, including the state's leader of the opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, and MP Amar Singh, joined a chorus of voices calling for a Congress return to office in Punjab in 2027 and a national victory in 2029.
The party's platform for the upcoming election cycle is now clearly defined:
- Restoring legacy social schemes like MGNREGA.
- Opposing international trade concessions that harm farmers.
- Highlighting the alleged deteriorating security situation under the current provincial leadership.
This rally underscores the Congress's aggressive strategy to challenge the AAP government on economic promises and governance, setting the stage for a heated political battle as Punjab approaches the 2027 elections.
