Congress and BJP Kickstart 2027 Punjab Election Campaign with Parallel Rural Rallies
Political activity in Punjab has intensified dramatically. Both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party launched parallel rally campaigns across the state's rural heartland between January 7 and 12. These events signal an unusually early start to campaigning for the crucial 2027 Assembly elections.
Congress Launches "MGNREGA Bachao Sangram" Rallies
The Congress party organized ten rallies over five days from January 8 to 12. They framed these events under the banner "MGNREGA Bachao Sangram." The campaign began in Gurdaspur on January 8. It then moved through Bholath, Samrala, Muktsar, and Moga. The first phase concluded at Guru-Har-Sahai in Ferozepur district.
All India Congress Committee Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel attended every rally. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Baghel provided high-profile leadership for the campaign. Other prominent Congress leaders participated actively. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring joined the efforts.
Congress leaders emphasized party unity throughout the rallies. At the Gurdaspur event, Bajwa, Randhawa, Warring, and Baghel arrived together in one vehicle. This visual display aimed to project a cohesive front to voters and counter perceptions of internal factionalism.
BJP Counters with "Jan Jagran Abhiyan" Campaign
The Bharatiya Janata Party responded swiftly to the Congress initiative. They launched their "Jan Jagran Abhiyan" on January 7 in Fazilka. The BJP conducted seven programs across Jalandhar, Sujanpur, Jagraon, Samrala, Fatehgarh Sahib, and other areas until January 11.
BJP leaders used these rallies to promote the central government's Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission-Gramin scheme. They sought to counter the Congress narrative against VB-G-RAM-G. The party also aimed to sensitize rural populations about the newly launched program's benefits.
The BJP brought significant political weight to their Samrala rally on January 11. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini joined state BJP president Sunil Jakhar and working president Ashwani Sharma. This demonstrated cross-state coordination and elevated the campaign's profile.
2027 Election Positioning Takes Center Stage
While both parties framed rallies around employment schemes, the underlying focus remained firmly on the 2027 elections. Congress leaders consistently addressed their electoral prospects and party unity.
Partap Singh Bajwa struck a sharply political note at the concluding rally. He declared, "The people of Punjab want a united Congress. The way the AAP has troubled the masses, the Congress is the only alternative in Punjab." He made several promises about withdrawing FIRs and improving law and order if Congress returns to power.
Bhupesh Baghel repeatedly addressed leadership questions. He stated, "The Congress will contest the 2027 Assembly elections under joint and collective leadership. They are all our chief ministerial faces." This message aimed to prevent internal squabbles over the chief minister position from distracting from the campaign.
Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa specifically sought to end speculation about the Congress chief ministerial face. He asserted, "None of us wants to be CM. We want a Congress government in the state."
Unity Challenges and Counter-Narratives
The Congress unity message faced some visible challenges. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee working president Bharat Bhushan Ashu missed the Samrala rally despite being based in nearby Ludhiana. Former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi attended only the final rally at Guru-Har-Sahai.
Bhupesh Baghel addressed these absences directly. He explained, "Channi was busy with a parliamentary committee meeting in Chennai, and Rana Gurjeet was part of programmes in his area. There is no question of any difference in the party."
A senior BJP leader offered a different perspective. He observed, "The Congress's MGNREGA Sangram rallies were less about MGNREGA and more about attacking the AAP government, the 2027 Assembly polls and projecting the unity in the party."
Second Phase Announcements and Future Plans
Both parties plan to continue their mobilization efforts. Congress leaders confirmed they will soon roll out Phase 2 of the MGNREGA Bachao Sangram. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring stated, "We will not sit quiet till MGNREGA is restored in its original shape. The public response to the rallies was overwhelming. We will reach out to the rest of the districts soon."
The BJP similarly plans expanded outreach. A party leader revealed, "The second phase will be announced soon. We are reaching deep rural pockets to explain the scheme and its benefits." The BJP scheduled a significant political rally for January 14 at the historic Maghi Mela at Sri Muktsar Sahib. This marks their debut participation in the important event.
Farmers' Organizations Protest Government Policies
Beyond the political parties, farmers' groups organized parallel demonstrations. The Punjab chapter of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha held protests across twenty districts. Participants burned copies of what they termed "black laws" in Lohri bonfires.
The organization specifically targeted the VB-G-RAM-G Act, 2025. They also protested the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, Seed Bill 2025, and tax-free agreements. The group alleged these policies favor corporations over ordinary people. They accused the Punjab government of implementing rather than opposing these central laws.
Protests occurred in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa, Patiala, Mohali, Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Nawanshahr. The organization announced plans for future protest programs.
These developments collectively paint a picture of intense political mobilization in Punjab. The 2027 election campaign has effectively begun nearly two years before voting. Both major parties are testing narratives, demonstrating unity, and reaching directly into rural constituencies. The coming months will likely see continued aggressive campaigning as parties position themselves for the crucial state election.
