Initiating major rejig, Cong to appoint new district chiefs soon

The Punjab Congress is likely to declare its new district chiefs this week, initiating a major rejig in the state unit ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly elections.

The 29 district chiefs have been elected through the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, an organisational rebuilding campaign. The new faces will replace those appointed in 2022.

Confirming that the list was expected any day, Warring said, “The district presidents were selected through a transparent process, and without any favouritism.”

According to party sources, All-India Congress Committee (AICC)-appointed co-incharge for Punjab Ravinder Dalvi held discussions over it with party’s national general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal on Saturday.

The meeting came after final round of discussions with the state’s top party leadership.

Sources privy to the talks with Venugopal said strong emphasis was laid on maintaining caste and regional balance in the selection of “neutral and ideology-driven district presidents”.

At least five Hindus, five OBC and seven Dalit faces are expected to be among the new district chiefs. Ten existing district presidents, including sitting MLAs, are likely be retained.

The Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan involved AICC-appointed 29 observers, including MPs, former union ministers and former state unit presidents, shortlisting the prospective candidates after discussions with cross-section of leaders.

A similar experiment in Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh had been successful as the representation of the OBCs and minorities increased, a party source said.

A senior party leader said the new district presidents would help the party consolidate its position in Assembly segments lacking strong candidates.

These constituencies include Kharar, Banga, Chabbewal, Batala, Kartarpur, Attari, Patiala (Urban), Bassi Pathana, Nihal Singh Wala, Bagga Purana, Shutrana, Dirba, Bhadaur, Mehal Kalan, Lambi, Malout and Maur.

PPCC reshuffle next step

According to Congress sources, the restructuring of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), the party’s main decision-making body in the state, will be taken in the second phase of the overhaul.

Since Warring took over as the PPCC chief in April 2022, the reconstitution of the state party unit has been pending.

Earlier, three party working presidents in the state — Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Pargat Singh and Kushaldeep Dhillon — had resigned from their posts following the Ludhiana (West) bypoll debacle in June.

Ashu had lost the contest to AAP’s Sanjeev Arora, now a minister in the state government. The development had threatened a vertical split in the state Congress.

Warring and leaders close to him had remained largely away from canvassing, showing up only in last days of the party campaign.

Ashu too had got a team of his choice to campaign, including Rana Gurjit Singh, who in the past had dubbed Warring a “selfish leader” and had shown interest in becoming the state Congress president.