Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Rahul Gandhi Likely to Lead Punjab Bus Tour in September
Rahul Gandhi may visit Punjab in September for a week-long bus journey.
The exact dates have not been decided yet.
The journey may start in Amritsar, possibly after a visit to the Golden Temple.
Congress wants the trip to reach different parts of Punjab.
The party hopes this will help it prepare for the 2027 state election.
Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is expected to continue leading Punjab Congress.
Some reports suggested there were disagreements inside the party, but Bhupesh Baghel said everything was fine.
Baghel also said talk of a new BJP-SAD alliance showed that Congress was becoming stronger.
Rahul Gandhi’s proposed week-long Punjab bus tour is now likely to take place in the first week of September, though dates remain unconfirmed.
The tour, originally expected in late August, is intended to cover the entire state and strengthen Congress ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is expected to remain in his position, according to party leader Bhupesh Baghel.
Congress sources said the programme could begin in Amritsar with a visit by Rahul Gandhi to the Golden Temple.
Baghel denied factionalism in Punjab Congress and said renewed BJP-SAD alliance speculation reflected Congress’s growing strength.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring are central to the plans.
- What
- Congress is planning a week-long bus journey across Punjab led by Rahul Gandhi.
- When
- The tour is now likely in the first week of September; final dates have not been fixed.
- Where
- The programme is expected to cover Punjab and could begin in Amritsar, possibly at the Golden Temple.
- Why
- Congress wants to strengthen its organisation, project unity and prepare for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election.
Congress Leadership’s Position
Reported Concerns and Rival Speculation
Factionalism in Punjab Congress
Congress Leadership’s Position
Bhupesh Baghel dismissed reports of factionalism and said everything was fine in the state unit.
Reported Concerns and Rival Speculation
Reports cited continuing speculation about differences within Punjab Congress and possible organisational changes.
Possible BJP-SAD alliance
Congress Leadership’s Position
Baghel said renewed discussion of a Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal alliance was appearing because Congress was becoming stronger.
Reported Concerns and Rival Speculation
The alliance remains speculative; the two parties have fought separately since the Shiromani Akali Dal ended their decades-long partnership in 2020 over differences on farm laws.
- Likely timing
- First week of September
- Expected duration
- One week
- Earlier timing
- Late August had previously been considered
- Proposed format
- A bus journey covering the entire state
- Punjab Congress chief
- Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is expected to remain in the post
- Possible starting point
- Amritsar, with a potential Golden Temple visit
- Previous Punjab election
- The Aam Aadmi Party won a majority in 2022, leaving Congress out of power