Chandigarh / Jalandhar: Trouble is brewing within the Punjab Congress, as internal factionalism has come out in the open following the party’s defeat in the Ludhiana West by-election. Senior leader and former Indian hockey player Pargat Singh, the sitting MLA from Jalandhar Cantt, has resigned as Vice President (Meet Pradhan) of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). Joining him is ex-MLA Kushaldeep Singh ‘Kikki’ Dhillon, who also stepped down from the same post.
Both leaders sent their resignations to the Congress High Command, addressed to AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal and Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel. While Pargat remains in Jalandhar, Kikki Dhillon is currently in Australia, sources confirmed.
Resignations in Solidarity with Bharat Bhushan Ashu
The resignations are being seen as an act of solidarity with Bharat Bhushan Ashu, the Congress candidate who lost the bypoll and had earlier stepped down from his party position. Ashu had reportedly expressed discontent—albeit in muted tones—over lack of support from the Punjab Congress leadership, especially state president Raja Warring and Simarjit Singh Bains.
This is the first major rebellion within the Punjab Congress since the 2022 assembly elections, and it reflects a growing sense of dissatisfaction among party ranks.
Signs of Discontent During Campaign
Senior Congress leaders including Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Pratap Bajwa, and Simarjit Singh Bains were either absent or inactive during Ashu’s campaign, despite being present during his nomination. Moreover, Kamaljeet Singh Karwal, who shares a rivalry with Bains, was inducted into the party, which further alienated local leaders and voters.
The bypoll witnessed just 51.3% voter turnout, indicating low enthusiasm among Congress supporters. Senior leaders like Sanjay Talwar and many local workers neither campaigned nor mobilized voters, leading to a drop in vote share.
AAP’s Victory Sparks Intra-Party Tensions
The AAP’s victory in Ludhiana West not only pushed Congress to second place but also intensified the infighting. Ashu’s resignation was followed by open support from Pargat Singh and Kikki Dhillon, confirming factional rifts.
If not addressed, this internal discord may become a major obstacle for Congress in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, where it seeks to regain its footing after falling to just 18 seats in the previous election.
Congress High Command May Intervene
Given the gravity of the situation, sources suggest that the Congress central leadership may deploy a senior leader to Punjab to mediate and de-escalate tensions before the situation worsens.
