Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) General Secretary and Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday, 8 August declared that the people of Punjab were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to hand a full mandate to the Indian National Congress (Congress) in the upcoming state Assembly elections, which are scheduled for either February 2027 or November this year. Baghel made the remarks at the 'Har Booth, Congress Mazboot' programme in Malerkotla, following an extensive tour of 18 districts across the state.

Baghel's Assessment After 18-District Tour

Baghel, who also serves as a former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, said he had witnessed overwhelming enthusiasm for the Congress among Punjab's residents during his district-level outreach. He argued that voters were deeply dissatisfied with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which he claimed had 'completely destroyed Punjab'. The Congress leader used the occasion to rally booth-level workers, urging them to unite and prepare for electoral battle.

Speaking at Malerkotla, Baghel paid tribute to the town's historical significance, recalling how in 1705 the then Nawab of Malerkotla had publicly opposed the bricking alive of the two younger Sahibzadas by the Governor of Sirhind — an act of moral courage he held up as an example for Congress workers.

Quit India Parallel and Attack on BJP

Invoking the Quit India Movement of 9 August 1942, Baghel drew a parallel between the British suppression of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Maulana Azad and what he described as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre's treatment of Opposition figures today. He alleged that the BJP was misusing investigative agencies, particularly the Enforcement Directorate (ED), against political opponents, and was attempting to dismantle smaller and regional parties across states.

Baghel also praised what he called the Gen Z generation for rising against what he termed the 'dictatorship and terror' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He cited the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as an outcome of student-led pressure. He also recalled Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's solidarity with students facing police action.

Warring's Sand Mining Challenge to AAP

Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, speaking at the same event, took direct aim at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal over their sand mining record. Warring alleged that while AAP had promised revenues of ₹30,000 crore from sand mining, the government had reportedly managed to generate only ₹300 crore — a fraction of the projected figure.

Warring demanded an explanation for the shortfall, suggesting the remainder had been siphoned off by the 'sand mafia'. He announced that a Congress government would free sand mining from mafia control entirely, allowing people direct access and eliminating illegal profiteering.

Congress Promises Police Reforms

Warring also outlined a Congress commitment on law and order, announcing that the party, if voted to power, would introduce mandatory police accountability reforms. Under the proposed framework, every inquiry officer who orders the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) would be held personally accountable and required to compensate for any wilfully false case. Warring said this reform was essential to protect innocent citizens from abuse of process and fabricated charges.

With Punjab's election timeline still uncertain, both leaders' remarks signal that the Congress is moving into campaign mode well ahead of the formal schedule — and that sand mining, police accountability, and anti-incumbency against AAP will be central planks of its pitch.