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Politics
Congress gauges Punjab support as internal push to remove dissenting leaders intensifies
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 01 Oct 2026, 04:01 AM
👁 16
The Indian National Congress is conducting a political test in Punjab amid a renewed drive to oust dissenting leaders within the party.
New Delhi – The Congress party has launched a focused outreach in Punjab to assess its electoral footing ahead of the next state assembly polls. Party officials said the exercise involves a series of public meetings, door‑to‑door canvassing and opinion surveys aimed at measuring voter sentiment on key issues such as agriculture, unemployment and law‑and‑order.
Simultaneously, senior Congress leaders are reportedly intensifying an internal campaign to remove members who have openly challenged the party’s central leadership. Sources close to the party hierarchy indicated that the move seeks to consolidate a unified front before the upcoming elections.
Political analysts note that Punjab, a state where Congress once enjoyed a strong base, has seen a gradual erosion of support in recent years. The current test is therefore seen as a litmus test for the party’s ability to revive its fortunes and present a cohesive leadership team.
The party has not disclosed specific figures from the outreach, but officials emphasized that the feedback will shape campaign strategies and candidate selections for the 2025 assembly elections. The internal reshuffle is expected to be finalized before the filing of nominations.
Simultaneously, senior Congress leaders are reportedly intensifying an internal campaign to remove members who have openly challenged the party’s central leadership. Sources close to the party hierarchy indicated that the move seeks to consolidate a unified front before the upcoming elections.
Political analysts note that Punjab, a state where Congress once enjoyed a strong base, has seen a gradual erosion of support in recent years. The current test is therefore seen as a litmus test for the party’s ability to revive its fortunes and present a cohesive leadership team.
The party has not disclosed specific figures from the outreach, but officials emphasized that the feedback will shape campaign strategies and candidate selections for the 2025 assembly elections. The internal reshuffle is expected to be finalized before the filing of nominations.