Punjab civic body elections have presented a difficult assessment for Congress, affecting both vote counts and internal party divisions. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party achieved strong results in urban areas. Congress faced criticism over leadership disputes during a heated Delhi gathering attended by senior figures including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring encountered setbacks in his Gidderbaha area, where AAP secured most wards despite his efforts. This prompted questions from Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi, who highlighted successes in his own regions like Chamkaur Sahib. Channi raised issues of accountability for upcoming 2027 polls. Warring responded by alleging misuse of official resources by AAP, though this was contested by others including Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Additional friction emerged over absences during campaigning and visible signs of disagreement, such as a mid-meeting departure by assembly opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa. Congress general secretary Bhupesh Baghel described the exit as routine and ruled out immediate leadership shifts. Some Congress candidates recorded wins in places like Kapurthala and Nawanshahar, strengthening certain local figures. Overall, the results showed Congress trailing AAP while ahead of SAD and BJP. The outcomes have intensified existing factional tensions within Punjab Congress rather than resolving them, pointing to ongoing organizational difficulties before the next assembly elections.
