The Congress party is grappling with internal dissent and public criticism following its defeat in the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll, where AAP’s Sanjeev Arora triumphed over Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu by more than 10,000 votes. The loss has triggered a political storm, with senior leaders from within the party and rivals alike alleging collusion between Congress insiders and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
🔥 Allegations of Secret Deals Rock Congress
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira ignited controversy by accusing unnamed senior party leaders of “colluding with AAP in exchange for favors for their industrial houses.” His remarks, widely interpreted as a veiled attack on Rana Gurjeet Singh, have intensified calls for introspection within the party.
Echoing Khaira’s concerns, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar claimed that some Congress leaders had “surrendered to the Chief Minister through a deal,” referencing past corruption allegations in the Transport Department that have seen no action under the AAP government.
🗳️ Fallout from the Bypoll Defeat
The defeat has exposed deep fissures within the Punjab Congress. Ashu, who resigned as the party’s working president after the loss, criticized the absence of key leaders like Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Partap Singh Bajwa from the campaign trail.
“If the party president waits for an invitation to campaign, he might as well stay in Chandigarh,” Ashu remarked pointedly.
🧩 A Party Divided?
The bypoll loss is being seen as a symptom of larger disunity and leadership disconnect within the Congress. While some leaders campaigned actively, others remained conspicuously absent, fueling speculation of internal sabotage and strategic missteps.
📉 What’s Next for Congress?
With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections on the horizon, the Congress faces mounting pressure to rebuild trust, resolve internal rifts, and reassert its political relevance in a state once considered its stronghold.
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