Congress Launches 'Jawani Sambhal' Cycle Yatra from Chamkaur Sahibਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੀ 'ਜਵਾਨੀ ਸੰਭਾਲ' ਸਾਈਕਲ ਯਾਤਰਾ ਚਮਕੌਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ

The Punjab Congress on Thursday launched its statewide 'Jawani Sambhal' (Save the Youth) cycle yatra from Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar district, opening a new front in its campaign for the 2027 Assembly elections. Former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi will lead the cycle campaign, covering 28 Assembly constituencies in the first phase. The launch drew the party's top state leadership, including Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot, state president Pargat Singh and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa.

A launch steeped in history

The day began at 10:30 am with obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Katalgarh Sahib in Chamkaur Sahib, the historic site associated with the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's elder sons. Pilot, writing on X, said he had bowed his head at the gurdwara and prayed for a bright future for Punjab. A public rally followed at the Chamkaur Sahib stadium at 11 am, and the cycle yatra was flagged off at 11:30 am. On its first day the yatra travelled from Chamkaur Sahib towards Samrala, with a public meeting at Khamanon in the afternoon and a public address at Samrala's main bazaar in the evening, ending with a 1.2-kilometre foot march.

What the yatra is about

Channi said the campaign is aimed at protecting Punjab's youth from drugs, gangsterism, unemployment and insecurity. Pargat Singh said the yatra would carry the party's message to every village, town and household in the state. The yatra is part of the Congress's wider 'Punjab Mangda Insaaf' (Punjab Demands Justice) campaign, which Pargat Singh launched from Mohali on Wednesday. That campaign follows the party's November 4 Insaaf Rally in Sangrur, addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Pilot's attack on the AAP government

Pilot, speaking to reporters in Mohali, attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government, saying Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had missed an opportunity in governance. He said the campaign was about bringing Punjab back on track, and that the cycle rallies, marches and public outreach would continue across the state. Pargat Singh said the party would raise issues of law and order and corruption in every village and neighbourhood. Bajwa said Congress leaders would visit different parts of the state and seek answers from the government on issues affecting farmers, women and youth.

A crowded campaign season

The launch comes on the same day the ruling AAP announced its second list of 31 candidates for the 2027 polls, and a day after the Congress launched its 'Mangda Insaaf' outreach. The Congress, which won only 18 seats in 2022, is aiming for a comeback in the Assembly elections expected in February 2027. Channi, who was chief minister for a brief period before the 2022 polls, is leading the party's most visible street campaign so far, while Pilot is expected to join select stretches of the yatra in the coming days.

What is the Jawani Sambhal Yatra?

A Punjab Congress cycle yatra led by Charanjit Singh Channi, covering 28 constituencies in its first phase to campaign against drugs, gangsterism and unemployment.

Where did it start?

At Chamkaur Sahib in Rupnagar district, after prayers at Gurdwara Sri Katalgarh Sahib on November 12.

Which campaign is it part of?

The Congress's wider 'Punjab Mangda Insaaf' campaign ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.