The Punjab unit of the Indian National Congress is inching dangerously close to political irrelevance, not because of a strong opposition, but due to its internal rot. What was once a dominant and deeply rooted political force in the state is now disintegrating under the pressure of groupism, personal rivalries, and a lack of collective vision. If this internal war continues, it will not just harm the party’s image—it will destroy its very base, making a return to power in the 2027 Assembly elections nearly impossible.
At the heart of this disintegration are multiple factions operating within the party. These groups are not only pulling in different directions but are openly sabotaging each other, leaving the cadre confused and demoralised. Rather than presenting a united front to counter the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, these factions are more concerned with securing their influence and power.
One of the key factions that still influences internal dynamics is the group of loyalists to Amarinder Singh. Although the former Chief Minister has formally exited the Congress and merged his new outfit with the BJP, many of his supporters continue to linger within the party. These loyalists, particularly in rural and border areas, represent a chunk of the old Congress structure. However, they have been largely sidelined and demoralised, resulting in silent disengagement from party activities. Their absence is a major blow to the Congress’s traditional vote bank.
Then there is the Navjot Singh Sidhu camp, which mostly consists of young, urban-focused leaders and volunteers who believe in Sidhu’s promise of clean politics and internal reform. However, Sidhu’s erratic behaviour and constant clashes with senior leaders—including Amarinder Singh and later Charanjit Singh Channi—have cost the party dearly. His absence from active politics in recent months hasn’t dissolved his group entirely, but it has left his followers politically homeless and disconnected from the current leadership.
The most powerful and visible camp at the moment is led by Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the current state unit president, along with Harish Chaudhary, the AICC in-charge of Punjab. This duo controls the official party machinery and is trying hard to rebuild the Congress brand. However, their style of leadership has drawn criticism from both seniors and grassroots workers. Accusations of favouritism, exclusion, and ego-driven politics are weakening their hold, especially in areas where Congress once had a stronghold. Instead of becoming a unifying force, this camp has become another reason for internal friction.
Another strong voice within the party is Partap Singh Bajwa, the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly. Bajwa has been vocal and aggressive against the ruling AAP, especially inside the Vidhan Sabha. However, his group is more focused on legislative battles than on organizational restructuring. Bajwa reportedly has cold relations with Raja Warring, which creates another power center within the party. His ambitions and solo approach add to the already fragmented leadership picture.
Adding further confusion is a group of leaders often called the “Delhi High Command loyalists.” These individuals work directly under the central leadership in Delhi—mainly under Rahul Gandhi and his close associates—and often bypass the state unit entirely. Their lack of connection to Punjab’s ground realities and local issues has made them ineffective and even resented by party workers in the state. Their interference often causes more harm than good, further alienating dedicated grassroots workers.
The end result of this groupism is political paralysis. Organizational appointments are stuck, block-level committees are inactive, and campaign strategies are missing entirely. Publicly, the Congress appears to be a divided house with no clear leadership, no message, and no direction. Voters who once trusted the Congress with state leadership now look elsewhere, and many loyal workers are quietly slipping away to other parties or quitting politics altogether.
With the Aam Aadmi Party consolidating power and the Shiromani Akali Dal looking to rebuild, the Congress has a very short window to fix its house. If these internal rivalries continue into 2026, it may already be too late to mount a credible challenge in the 2027 elections. The damage done by internal sabotage could be permanent, and the Congress might find itself not just losing elections—but losing its very existence in Punjab’s political landscape.