Punjab Congress Launches 'Mangda Insaaf' Campaign Ahead of 2027 Pollsਪੰਜਾਬ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਨੇ 'ਪੰਜਾਬ ਮੰਗਦਾ ਇਨਸਾਫ਼' ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤੀ

Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh on Wednesday launched the party's statewide 'Punjab Mangda Insaaf' campaign from Punjab Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh, kicking off a months-long outreach drive ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

What is the campaign?

'Punjab Mangda Insaaf' translates as 'Punjab Demands Justice'. The campaign will use cycle yatras, bus campaigns, door-to-door outreach, workers' meetings and public programmes to reach every village and neighbourhood in the state. Pargat Singh said the injustice Punjab has faced over a long period is the theme of the campaign, and the party will take that message to every place in Punjab.

What happened on launch day?

The formal launch took place at Punjab Congress Bhawan on Wednesday. The first engagement was a meeting with traders and industrialists in Mohali, where representatives of the business community shared their concerns about industry and trade. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Kisan Cell chairman Sukhpal Singh Khaira and MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli were present. The party said the campaign would hold meetings with different sections of society, starting with the business community, and would seek suggestions from people across the state.

What issues will it raise?

The Congress has identified a drug-free Punjab, an end to gangsterism, farmers' rights, employment opportunities for youth and empowerment of weaker sections as the key issues of the campaign. Law and order and corruption will also be raised, along with the IT sector and employment. The first day of the campaign focuses on the IT sector and meetings with workers, with the cycle yatra to follow.

Why now?

The campaign follows the party's 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur on 4 November, which was addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. That rally marked the launch of the Congress's political campaign in Punjab ahead of the 2027 elections. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party won 92 of the 117 seats while the Congress won 18, and the party is now trying to rebuild its organisation and message in the state.

What does 'Mangda Insaaf' mean?

It means 'demands justice'. The party says Punjab has faced injustice on many fronts over a long period, and the campaign will carry that message to every village and neighbourhood.

Who is leading the campaign?

Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh is leading it, with Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and campaign committee chairman Charanjit Singh Channi playing important roles.

When are the Punjab Assembly elections?

The elections are due in early 2027.