Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Congress sees 'massive response' in Punjab; BJP nervous, says Baghel
In the state of Punjab in India, political parties are like teams trying to win an election.
A leader of the Congress party, Bhupesh Baghel, said people are cheering for his team a lot right now.
He thinks this is making another team, the BJP, worried.
He believes the BJP is so worried that it might join hands with another team called the Akali Dal, even though the BJP earlier said it would play alone.
A meeting between two leaders, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made people think this team-up might happen.
The Congress leader also said the Aam Aadmi Party is taking Punjab's money to use for elections in other states.
One Congress leader, Raja Warring, wants to compete directly against the Chief Minister.
Inside the Congress team, some people are arguing about who should be the leader.
The elections will happen soon, and all the teams are trying hard to win the votes of the people of Punjab.
Congress Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel claimed the BJP is 'nervous' over the Congress's 'massive response' in Punjab and has opened communication channels with the Shiromani Akali Dal for a possible alliance.
Baghel noted Amit Shah had said in March that the BJP would fight the 2027 Punjab elections on its own, but a meeting between Sukhbir Singh Badal and PM Narendra Modi on Friday sparked alliance speculation.
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said he would like to contest against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann if the party allowed him.
Warring alleged AAP was using Punjab's money to fight elections in Gujarat and Goa, saying 'We will not let AAP fight Gujarat and Goa elections with Punjab's money.'
The Punjab Congress continues to struggle with factionalism after the July 1 decision to retain Warring as state unit chief and appoint Charanjit Singh Channi as campaign committee chairperson.
- Who
- Congress Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, PM Narendra Modi, CM Bhagwant Mann, Amit Shah
- What
- Baghel claimed the BJP is nervous about Congress's response in Punjab and is negotiating with the Shiromani Akali Dal for a possible alliance ahead of the Punjab assembly elections
- When
- Friday, August 7, with elections due in January-February and possibly advanced to November
- Where
- Nangal (Rupnagar) and Balachaur in Punjab, India
- Why
- Baghel says the BJP is worried about the 'massive response' the Congress is receiving from the people of Punjab
- Speaker
- Bhupesh Baghel, Congress Punjab in-charge and former Chhattisgarh chief minister
- Programme
- Har Booth, Congress Mazboot
- Event date
- Friday, August 7
- Election timing
- Due January-February; may be advanced to November
- Key meeting
- Sukhbir Singh Badal met PM Narendra Modi on Friday, sparking alliance speculation
- Earlier BJP stance
- Amit Shah asserted in March the BJP would contest 2027 Punjab polls alone
- Warring's demand
- Wants to contest against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann if party allows
- Congress infighting
- Channi-led section opposed retaining Warring after July 1 appointments
- Warring's allegation
- AAP using Punjab's money for Gujarat and Goa elections
