The final figure is lower than the 2,14,61,043 electors on the rolls before the revision began, a drop of about 6.3 per cent. When the draft roll came out in August, 20,66,608 names had been struck off, bringing the count down to 1,93,94,435. About 7.06 lakh voters were then added, which lifted the total to the final number.

As per Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra, names were removed mainly because of deaths, permanent migration out of the state, voters not being found at their listed addresses and duplicate entries. The department had put considerable effort into running the revision smoothly, she added.

She also said 7,97,263 new voters were enrolled, among them many first-time young voters and women.

According to information, 12.80 lakh voters were “unmapped” when the exercise began, meaning their names could not be linked to the 2003 roll, the last time an SIR was held. Another 22 lakh entries had discrepancies. Notices went to 34 lakh voters, who were heard and had their records corrected.

The final roll has been uploaded to the Election Commission of India’s website and shared with representatives of all seven registered and recognised political parties in Punjab.

Draft roll had 1.94 crore voters

After the final list was released, CEO Anindita Mitra said the draft roll had 1.94 crore voters, and about 8 lakh more people were added in the final roll. She said the Election Commission’s aim was to reach out to every single voter.

Chance to register for the next election

Mitra said anyone who wants to register to vote in the next election can submit Form 6 online, or to the BLO or ERO. Special camps will start from next week for this.

People can check the voter list at special camps

The camps will do two things. First, BLOs will sit with the final voter list so people can check whether their names are on it. The list is on the website, but many people prefer to see it physically. Second, the list has also been given to political parties, who can check it too. Anyone left out can apply on the spot.

How to download the final voter list?

Visit the official website: First, go to www.ceopunjab.gov.in or voters.eci.gov.in.

Select the option: On the homepage, click “Download Electoral Roll” or “Final Roll”.

Fill in the details: Select your state (Punjab), district, Assembly constituency, language and roll type (Final Roll).

Choose the polling station: Select your polling station number, enter the captcha and download.

According to the party, this is the first time the Shiromani Akali Dal has run a statewide campaign of this kind.

Filling forms with a plastered hand

Sukhbir Singh Badal had a cast on his right hand, but he still filled in the feedback forms himself. He visited seven homes, spent 10 to 15 minutes at each and asked family members to list their main concerns.

The form carries 15 issues. They include drugs, unemployment, Punjab's debt, law and order, corruption, farmers' worries over MSP, gangsters, alleged sacrilege and fake police encounters under the Bhagwant Mann government, price rise, government spending on advertisements, stalled development work, issues faced by women, power cuts and high electricity bills and the condition of government hospitals and schools. There is also space to add any other issue.

Sukhbir Singh Badal said party workers would reach every household in Punjab in the next 20 days. "We want people to tell us what they expect from the government," he said. "Whatever issues they raise will form the base of our manifesto. It will be the people's manifesto."

He also said a manifesto should be treated as a legal document, so that parties which fail to follow it can be disqualified for five years.

Promises made during the visit

Drugs came up repeatedly in his conversations with residents. Sukhbir Singh Badal promised that an Akali Dal government would bring a strict law under which those involved in selling drugs would get 10 years in jail without bail and their property would be seized. 

He also announced a set of welfare measures: Restoring the Atta-Dal scheme, with 50 kg of wheat at Rs 4 a kg and pulses at Rs 20 a kg, raising the Shagun scheme for economically weaker families from Rs 51,000 to Rs 1 lakh, Increasing old age pension to Rs 3,100 a month, with the eligibility age lowered to 60 for men and 55 for women, giving five-marla plots to landless families within two months of forming the government, making sure no house in Punjab remains kutcha during the party's five-year term,  offering loans of up to Rs 10 lakh to young people for starting businesses, with no interest for the first three years and bringing a law that makes it compulsory for private industries to employ 75 per cent local youth.

Attack on AAP, quip at Warring

Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the Punjab Government of misleading the High Court in the dearness allowance (DA) case, where the Chief Secretary has been issued a notice to appear at the next hearing. He said people would "teach AAP a lesson" in the coming elections and that the Akali Dal would seek votes on its past record and credibility.

What's next

The Akali Dal will start a bus yatra from Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district on November 10, covering two to three Assembly constituencies every day.

The campaign runs alongside the party's other outreach programmes, including the youth-focused "Vibe Punjab Di" and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal's "Maavan-Dhiyan Insaaf Yatra" against drugs.

Also Read | CBI raids homes of CM Mann's OSD Rajbir Ghuman in Sangrur and his brother in Mohali; team also at CM office

Start with the party in power. AAP did well in the May municipal polls, taking 954 seats and just under half the vote, while the Congress managed 393 and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 192. That gives Bhagwant Mann a talking point. But a civic body result is not an Assembly verdict.

Today's Punjab and Haryana High Court order handing the ED's corruption allegations against his close aides to the CBI changes the mood. The HC was blunt that the Punjab Police had handled the matter poorly. Whatever the CBI finds, the opposition now has a ready-made line  and the government has to explain why its own police didn't act first.

The Congress has chosen this moment to reshuffle. Pargat Singh replaces Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the PPCC chief with Sachin Pilot brought in alongside him. The high command evidently saw divisions it could no longer ignore. Changing a captain this late can steady a side or unsettle it and the Congress has a history of doing the latter. Pargat Singh met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Monday, but a photo is not a united unit.

The BJP is playing two games at once. State president Kewal Singh Dhillon says the party will fight all 117 seats and that no alliance talks are on. Yet Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7 and some reports claim seat-sharing talks are well advanced. Both parties have denied a deal. The two broke up in 2020 over the farm laws and they won 68 seats together in 2012, so a reunion would matter. 

Then there is law and order. Opposition leaders are pointing to firings, extortion and attacks on police personnel. Some of that is routine campaign rhetoric, but a government that has promised change cannot afford a prolonged argument about safety.

My reading: this is the most open Punjab contest in over a decade. AAP has a base but a growing liability, Congress has energy but little cohesion, and the BJP and SAD hold the only variable that could reshuffle the arithmetic. The next few months will say more about the outcome than any survey.

Also Read | Maiserkhana suspension: AAP punishes dissent instead of fixing Punjab's teacher shortage | Opinion

Also Read | Punjab govt to challenge HC order handing transfer-posting corruption probe to CBI

Maiserkhana's complaint was not political theatre. He said government schools, including the ones his own two children attend, do not have enough teachers. Apparently, he is the only MLA in the 117-member Assembly who sends his children to a government school. When he says the system is failing, he is speaking as a parent whose children sit in those classrooms. He also says he raised the issue repeatedly with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and with Manish Sisodia, and was ignored.

MUST READ | Even if i go to jail...: AAPs own Maur MLA Maiserkhana goes public against own govt, alleges conspiracy and sidelining

The party's reply was to call his allegations false and accuse him of defaming it. Yet it offered no figures on teacher vacancies and no action plan. A government confident of its record would have put the numbers on the table. Suspension is what a party does when it has no answer.

This matters because "education revolution" is not a minor slogan for AAP. It is the core of its pitch to Punjab, borrowed from the Delhi model. When an insider says the reality in his own constituency does not match the claim, the right response is to check the claim, not to remove the person.

Nor is this a one-off. Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh was suspended for five years in June 2025 after questioning how the Vigilance Bureau handled the Bikram Singh Majithia case. Sanour MLA Harmit Singh Pathanmajra criticised the flood response and the role of Delhi leadership in September 2025. His security was then withdrawn and he was booked in a three-year-old case. He calls it politically motivated. The AAP says the law is simply taking its course. The government is entitled to that defence, but the timing makes it hard to accept without questions. When action follows criticism this closely, the public will draw its own conclusions.

AAP state general secretary Harchand Singh Barsat says dissent exists in every family and should be raised within the party. That is fair as a principle. But Maiserkhana says he did raise it within the party, repeatedly and nothing happened. Public airing is usually the last resort of someone who feels the internal door is shut. If the party wants issues raised privately, it must first show that it listens privately.

The wider picture is worse for AAP. In April, seven of its 10 Rajya Sabha MPs moved to the BJP, six of them from Punjab. Now sitting MLAs are speaking out. A party that won 92 of 117 seats in 2022 is entering the February 2027 elections with visible cracks. Opposition parties will exploit this, as Congress state president Pargat Singh has already done by calling it "dictatorship". They have an easy target, but AAP handed it to them.

Voters will not judge this episode by party statements. They will look at their local school and count the teachers. The government's task is to fix that, not to silence the person who pointed it out.

A suspension can end one MLA's membership. It cannot end the teacher shortage and it will not end the questions. If anything, it has made them louder.

Raja Warring handed his resignation to Rahul Gandhi during the meeting, formally completing the process of stepping down from the post he had held for around four-and-a-half years. He had already changed his social media profile a day earlier to describe himself as the “former Punjab Congress president”.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Raja Warring said he had resigned voluntarily and that nobody had forced him to quit.

He said he submitted his resignation to Rahul Gandhi because he had been the leader who had appointed him as the Punjab Congress chief.

“I have formally submitted my resignation. I resigned voluntarily. No one asked me to resign,” Warring said, according to reports.

Warring discusses Punjab politics with Rahul Gandhi

Warring said his meeting with Rahul Gandhi also covered the political situation in Punjab, the challenges facing the state and his experience during his tenure as party president. He said he would continue to remain available whenever the Congress needed his services.

Reflecting on his departure, Warring said no person can remain at the top forever and that everyone eventually becomes a former office-holder.

His resignation comes at a time when the Congress is preparing for an organisational change in its Punjab unit. Reports have said the party leadership has been considering a new state president following discussions on the functioning of the state organisation.

Warring speaks about internal differences

The change comes after months of reported differences within the Punjab Congress. Warring has also made comments suggesting that newly appointed Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot may have played a role in the decision to change the state leadership. 

Says he may take some time off

After stepping down, Warring indicated that he may take some time to rest following his long tenure as state Congress chief. Reports have also suggested that he could travel abroad, including to the UK or the US, although his immediate plans have not been formally confirmed.

Warring had led the Punjab Congress since April 2022, when he succeeded Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The Congress is now expected to announce his successor as it begins the next phase of its organisational planning in Punjab. Several names have been reported as being under consideration, but no new state president had been formally announced at the time of reporting.

For Warring, the resignation marks the end of his tenure as Punjab Congress chief, although he has indicated that he intends to remain available for the party in the future.

Raja Warring has resigned from the post after the Congress high command decided to make a leadership change in Punjab. He has also updated his profile on X to describe himself as the “former president, Punjab Congress”, effectively confirming his exit from the position.

The development comes after weeks of discussions within the party over the functioning of the Punjab unit and its leadership. The Congress is now expected to name Warring's successor, with several senior leaders being discussed for the top organisational post.

Warring's exit comes ahead of 2027 Punjab elections 

The change in leadership comes at a crucial time for the Congress, with the next Punjab Assembly election approaching. The Congress leadership has been holding consultations with senior Punjab leaders as it seeks to reorganise the state unit. Party sources have linked the decision to feedback gathered by newly appointed Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot, who replaced former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in September.

Pilot has held meetings with leaders and office-bearers as part of an assessment of the organisation. Reports said his feedback was discussed with the central leadership amid continuing differences within the Punjab unit.

Vijay Inder Singla among names in focus

With Raja Warring's departure confirmed, attention has now shifted to the next Punjab Congress president. Former Sangrur MP and former minister Vijay Inder Singla has emerged as one of the prominent names under consideration. Reports have described him as a leading contender for the post, although the final decision rests with the Congress high command.

Other senior leaders whose names have figured in discussions include Pargat Singh, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Gurjit Singh Aujla, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Charanjit Singh Channi.

The final choice is expected to take into account the party's organisational requirements as well as the need to accommodate different sections and regional leadership within Punjab.

Also Read | From Akal Takht to Buta Singh: Times when Raja Warring made headlines over his controversial remarks

Several senior leaders in the race

The Punjab Congress leadership has several prominent faces across the state's major regions.

From the Majha region, the names in discussions include Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Raja Sansi MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla.

The Doaba region is represented among the possible contenders by Jalandhar Cantonment MLA and former minister Pargat Singh, besides former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi.

From the Malwa region, former Sangrur MP Vijay Inder Singla is among the prominent names being discussed.

The Congress has already assigned organisational responsibilities to some of these leaders. Aujla, Pargat Singh and Sarkaria are serving as co-chairpersons of the party's manifesto committee for the 2027 Assembly elections.

Leadership change follows months of internal differences

The leadership change follows a prolonged period of differences within the Punjab Congress. Warring had continued in the post despite calls from some party colleagues for a change in leadership. The central leadership subsequently brought Sachin Pilot in as Punjab in-charge, replacing Bhupesh Baghel.

The Congress has since stepped up consultations with its Punjab leaders, with the objective of preparing the organisation for the upcoming Assembly polls.

Reports have also indicated that the central leadership is looking for a new state chief who can work across the different factions within the party.

Warring took charge of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee in April 2022, shortly after Congress' Punjab unit had faced a drubbing from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). 

Channi had briefly served as chief minister after the Congress removed Captain Amarinder Singh ahead of the party’s defeat in the 2022 elections. At that time, the party was facing internal tensions linked to Navjot Singh Sidhu. Although Sidhu is no longer with the Congress, similar differences appeared to resurface, particularly after the party decided to retain Warring in July. The party’s then Punjab in-charge, Bhupesh Baghel, was also seen by some leaders as favouring Warring.

However, as the party infighting over the leadership peaked this year, this is not the first time that Warring has come under spotlight. There have been several incidents when Warring stoked a row over his controversial remarks. 

Also Read: Raja Warring steps down as Punjab Congress chief, Vijay Inder Singla frontrunner for top post

Major controversies involving Raja Warring since 2022

Factionalism within Punjab Congress 

The biggest political Raja Warring has so far faced is battling the party infighting over the leadership. While a group of leaders rallied around former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Warring led another faction. The rivalry seemingly became public months before 2027 Assembly elections. 

Criticism over remarks concerning the Akal Takht

In October 2024, Warring received massive criticism from Sikh intellectuals, opposition figures and some Congress leaders over remarks concerning the Akal Takht and Sikh high priests. Critics argued that his comments questioned the authority of the institution. Warring subsequently apologised. He said he respected the Akal Takht and its Jathedar and that he had not intended to disrespect the institution or its maryada. In a later written apology, Warring said that if his remarks had inadvertently hurt the dignity of the Akal Takht, he bowed his head and sought forgiveness.

Remarks against Buta Singh

During an election rally, Warring made remarks referring to Buta Singh’s caste and physical appearance. Buta Singh’s family and Dalit organisations alleged that the comments were derogatory and insulting to his legacy. Buta Singh’s son Sarabjot Singh filed a complaint with the police. An FIR was subsequently registered against Warring under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Warring later apologised unconditionally, saying he had not intended to disrespect Buta Singh and describing the late Congress leader as a father figure.

Allegedly 'teasing' Sikh children in Tarn Taran

Raja Warring yet against courted a fresh controversy with his statement what Shiromani Akali Dal described as 'hurting Sikh sentiments'. A video from the Tarn Taran Assembly by-election campaign went viral, showing Raja Warring touching jooda (hair-bun) of two minor boys. The video quickly drew backlash from the SGPC and the members demanded registration of an FIR against Warring, calling the actions 'disrespectful'.  

Allegations by Navjot Kaur Sidhu

In February 2026, Navjot Kaur Sidhu made serious allegations against Warring, including claims involving a ₹2,400-crore scam, alleged land acquisition and alleged misuse of youth membership fees. Warring rejected the allegations as unfounded.

Allegations over purchase of bus bodies

A separate controversy emerged later concerning bus-body fabrication contracts during Warring's tenure. A Punjab Vigilance Bureau inquiry examined the procurement of 841 buses, including a contract for bus bodies from a Jaipur-based firm at Rs 11.98 lakh per bus. Reports said the inquiry was examining allegations that the cost was substantially higher than rates offered by some Punjab-based firms. Warring has faced allegations in connection with this matter, but the reported inquiry itself does not establish wrongdoing.

Factionalism within the Punjab Congress had been growing steadily. Warring was seen as the face of one faction, while another group rallied behind Charanjit Singh Channi, who served as chief minister for a short period after Captain Amarinder Singh was removed from the post ahead of the party's defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections.

Also Read: Wheat MSP hiked by Rs 25 to Rs 2,610 per quintal for 2027-28: What it means for farmers

Channi had briefly served as chief minister after the Congress removed Captain Amarinder Singh ahead of the party’s defeat in the 2022 elections. At that time, the party was facing internal tensions linked to Navjot Singh Sidhu. Although Sidhu is no longer with the Congress, similar differences appeared to resurface, particularly after the party decided to retain Warring in July. The party’s then Punjab in-charge, Bhupesh Baghel, was also seen by some leaders as favouring Warring.

Warring took charge of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee in April 2022, shortly after Congress' Punjab unit had faced a drubbing from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). 

As both groups continued to show their strength, first in Punjab and later at the national level, the Congress leadership began making changes in September. Bhupesh Baghel was replaced in the first week of September, while Raja Warring resigned at the end of the month.

Sachin Pilot appointed party 's in-charge in Punjab

On September 5, the Congress high command appointed Sachin Pilot as the party’s Punjab in-charge, replacing former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who had held the position since early 2025. Pilot, a former Rajasthan deputy chief minister and Congress general secretary, had been handling Chhattisgarh since December 2023.

Seen as a younger leader close to Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, Pilot’s first major task was to attend a protest rally where different factions of the Punjab Congress appeared together.

However, the disagreement over Raja Warring’s leadership continued. On July 1, the Congress had announced that Warring would remain Punjab Congress president, while Charanjit Singh Channi would head the campaign committee.

The arrangement did not satisfy Channi or Congress Legislature Party leader Partap Singh Bajwa.

Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, a Jat Sikh leader like Warring, was seen supporting Channi, who belongs to the Dalit community.

Vijay Inder Singla, a prominent Hindu leader from the Bania community who was made head of the election management committee, was also reportedly unhappy with the decision. His name had been among the leading contenders for the state Congress chief in June and July, before the party decided to retain Warring.

Pargat Singh, another Jat Sikh leader, was viewed as relatively neutral in the factional dispute.

When Pilot arrived in Chandigarh, leaders from different groups welcomed him. Channi thanked the Congress high command for the appointment, while Warring also welcomed Pilot and expressed gratitude to Baghel for his guidance.

Punjab is scheduled to hold its Assembly elections in early 2027. The Congress will face the ruling AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. A possible alliance between the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is also being discussed, while jailed MP Amritpal Singh’s Waris Punjab De is expected to contest the elections.

As part of the Congress campaign, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to travel across Punjab on a bus tour.

The first protest took place at Chitkara University near Rajpura on Friday night, followed by unrest at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara on Saturday night and into Sunday.

Also Read: LPU rampage: Police form SIT to probe sexual assault case as university calls rumours 'baseless'

In both cases, police and university authorities denied the claims circulating online and said there was no evidence to support them. They also confirmed that the students were safe.

The incidents have raised concerns about how quickly rumours and unverified videos or social media posts can create tension and unrest on large university campuses.

What Happened at Chitkara University?

The first incident took place on the night of September 25 after social media posts and reels claimed that two female students were missing from the girls' hostel or had died by suicide.

Also Read: Protest erupts at Chitkara University over unverified claims of suicide by two female students; police vehicle vandalised

Some posts also mentioned a supposed “ghost” and claimed that screams had been heard from the hostel.

The claims caused panic among students, leading to a late-night protest. A large number of students gathered on the campus and demanded answers from the university authorities. They also asked officials to check CCTV footage and provide information about the allegations.

The protest later became violent. Some campus property was damaged and a Punjab Police emergency response vehicle was allegedly attacked, with its front windshield being smashed.

Chitkara University Registrar Col Rakesh Sharma (retd) and local police officials spoke to the protesting students and denied the claims. Police also pointed out that the students could not provide the names or identities of the alleged missing students.

The university and police maintained that no student had died and that no student was missing.

LPU Protests follow within a day

Less than 24 hours later, a similar incident was reported at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara.

On Saturday night, unverified messages began circulating on social media claiming that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted by an outsider on the campus. Some versions of the posts also claimed that the student had died by suicide.

The messages caused concern among students, who gathered near the girls' hostel during the early hours of Sunday.

The situation soon escalated. Protesters allegedly threw bricks, damaged windowpanes and set some objects on fire inside the campus. They also reportedly broke through the campus gates and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, affecting traffic movement.

A large police force was deployed to control the situation.

Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said the preliminary investigation had found no evidence supporting the allegations. He also said police had not received any official complaint regarding the alleged sexual assault.

Police said the situation was under control and continued to monitor both the campus and social media platforms.

Incidents months before assembly elections

The incidents have occurred as Punjab enters an election year, increasing concerns over the potential impact of misinformation and unverified claims on public order.

LPU founder and Chancellor Ashok Mittal is an AAP Rajya Sabha MP who joined the BJP in April.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin announced the appointments on Wednesday, covering states and Union Territories across the country. The changes give several senior leaders fresh organisational responsibilities.

Also Read | Major health scare: Delhi fake rabies vaccine racket busted: 481 counterfeit vials seized

Smriti Irani gets Haryana and Chhattisgarh

Former Union minister and newly appointed national general secretary Smriti Irani has been made the BJP's in-charge for Haryana and Chhattisgarh. She will be assisted in Haryana by Bhola Singh.

The appointment comes as the BJP prepares its organisation in states where Assembly elections and other political challenges are expected to shape the party's strategy.

Satish Poonia gets Punjab charge

Satish Poonia has been assigned responsibility for Punjab, along with Jammu and Kashmir. In Punjab, he will be assisted by former Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and Dr Alka Gurjar as co-in-charges.

Poonia had earlier been given charge of Punjab in August as part of the party's organisational changes. His responsibility now continues under the wider reshuffle announced by the BJP.

Tarun Chugh gets Gujarat

Senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh has been appointed in-charge of Gujarat. He will work with Ajay Mahavar and Gomti Sai, who have been named co-in-charges.

For Uttar Pradesh, the party has appointed national general secretary Vinod Tawde as in-charge, with Jagdish Ishwarbhai Patel as co-in-charge.

New assignments for Himachal, Delhi and Maharashtra

In Himachal Pradesh, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma has been appointed in-charge. In Delhi, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe will oversee the party's organisational affairs. He will be assisted by Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and Darshanaben Jardosh.

For Maharashtra, Rajya Sabha MP Baijayant Jay Panda has been appointed in-charge. Amit Malviya, Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Kamaljeet Sehrawat will serve as co-in-charges.

In Chandigarh, BJP leader Manoj Tigga has been appointed in-charge, according to the latest organisational list.

Focus on poll-bound states

The reshuffle comes as the BJP strengthens its organisational teams in states where Assembly elections are due or where the party is preparing for future electoral contests.

The latest appointments are effective immediately and form part of the BJP's broader restructuring of its state-level organisation.

The decision was taken during a gathering at the village gurdwara, where residents said the party would not be permitted to hold election-related activities or put up campaign posters in the village. Residents also removed posters that had already been put up.

The development comes in the wake of the murder case of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau, a Sikh activist and an early member of the Waris Punjab De organisation. Gurpreet Singh was shot dead by motorcycle-borne attackers in October 2024. The Faridkot police subsequently named Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh as an accused in the case.

A special investigation team later filed a chargesheet against 12 of the 17 accused in the case. The investigation involving Amritpal Singh was reported as pending at that stage, as he was detained in Dibrugarh jail.

Also Read |  Anurag Verma shifted from Punjab Revenue department days after ED summons in Suntec City case

Family, villagers oppose party campaign

Speaking to the media, Gurpreet Singh's father Hakam Singh said the family and villagers had decided to oppose the political party's activities in Hari Nau because of the allegations surrounding his son's murder.

He alleged that Amritpal Singh was responsible for his son's killing and referred to the police case registered against him. Hakam Singh said the village would not permit the organisation or its political outfit to campaign there ahead of the Assembly elections.

Other village residents, including Pala Singh and Kuldeep Singh, also said they would oppose any attempt to conduct the party's campaign in the village.

Farmer leader Master Harjinder Singh said villagers had collectively decided that no campaigning by Waris Punjab De would be allowed in Hari Nau, adding that any attempt to create a disturbance would have consequences.

Posters removed from village

As part of the decision, posters associated with the party were reportedly removed from the village. Residents said they would continue to oppose campaign activity and the installation of such posters in the area.

Punjab is due to hold its next Assembly election in 2027, although the Election Commission has not yet announced the polling schedule.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to flag off the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ from Madhopur in Pathankot on September 18. The campaign will be carried out through four separate routes covering nearly 4,000 km across the state.

All four yatras will conclude at Devi Talab Temple in Jalandhar, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to join the concluding programme.

Also Read |  AAP’s big Punjab shake-up ahead of Assembly elections: Bhagwant Mann, Cheema, Ghuman and Bibhav Kumar get key roles

During the campaign, BJP leaders will meet families affected by drug abuse, NGOs, sports clubs and village-level committees to understand the impact of drugs and discuss measures to tackle the problem.

The announcement was made during a press conference in Chandigarh attended by Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, national vice-president Manpreet Singh Badal, former state president Sunil Jakhar and MLA Ashwani Sharma.

BJP targets AAP government over drug issue

Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to eliminate the drug problem in the state. He alleged that while drugs continue to affect Punjab, voices speaking against the problem are being suppressed.

Dhillon said the BJP wanted to take the anti-drug campaign directly to people and make the fight against drug abuse a major political and social issue in the state.

Four routes planned across Punjab

The first route will begin from Madhopur in Pathankot on September 18 and cover constituencies across the border belt and Majha region before moving towards Ferozepur and Jalandhar.

The route includes Sujanpur, Pathankot, Bhoa, Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Qadian, Sri Hargobindpur, Batala, Fatehgarh Churian, Dera Baba Nanak, Ajnala, Raja Sansi, Attari, Amritsar West, Amritsar Central, Amritsar South, Amritsar East, Amritsar North, Majitha, Jandiala, Baba Bakala, Tarn Taran, Khadoor Sahib, Khem Karan, Patti, Ferozepur City, Guru Har Sahai, Ferozepur Rural, Zira, Sultanpur Lodhi, Bholath, Nakodar, Shahkot and Jalandhar Cantonment.

The second yatra will start on September 19 after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib. It will pass through Samrala, Payal, Khanna, Amloh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Bassi Pathana, Dera Bassi, Mohali, Kharar, Chamkaur Sahib, Ropar, Anandpur Sahib, Garhshankar, Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur, Sham Chaurasi, Dasuya, Mukerian, Urmar, Adampur, Balachaur, Nawanshahr, Banga and Phagwara.

The third route will begin on September 20 from the Sadiki border area in Fazilka, near the Asafwala 1971 War Memorial. It will cover Fazilka, Balluana, Abohar, Jalalabad, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Malout, Gidderbaha, Jaito, Kotkapura, Faridkot, Bagha Purana, Nihal Singh Wala, Dharamkot, Moga, Jagraon, Raikot, Dakha, Malerkotla, Amargarh, Gill, Sahnewal and Ludhiana city constituencies.

The fourth yatra will start on September 21 after prayers at Gurdwara Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo. It will cover Talwandi Sabo, Maur, Rampura Phul, Bhucho Mandi, Bathinda Rural, Bathinda Urban, Mansa, Sardulgarh, Budhlada, Bhadaur, Barnala, Mehal Kalan, Dhuri, Sangrur, Sunam, Dirba, Lehragaga, Shutrana, Nabha, Patiala Rural, Patiala Urban, Sanour and Rajpura.

BJP says drug fight cannot be measured by FIR numbers

BJP national vice-president Manpreet Singh Badal said the Punjab government has cited around 73,000 drug-related cases and treatment of nearly 25,000 patients as part of its anti-drug campaign.

He said the BJP was not questioning these figures but argued that the success of an anti-drug campaign should ultimately be judged by how many people are successfully rehabilitated and able to return to normal life.

He compared the fight against drugs to a military operation, saying different agencies and institutions need to work together rather than relying on a single approach.

According to Manpreet Badal, simply seizing drug consignments will not be enough to dismantle the drug trade. He said authorities also need to follow the money and identify the wider network behind the illegal business.

The BJP plans to propose a Drug Trafficking Intelligence Grid for Punjab. The proposed network would bring together agencies, including Punjab Police, National Crime Records Bureau, Customs, Income Tax Department and BSF, along with religious organisations, schools and industry representatives.

The party says such coordination could help authorities track the financial networks and wider infrastructure supporting drug trafficking in Punjab.

With the Assembly elections approaching, the BJP's 13-day campaign is expected to put the drug issue back at the centre of political debate in the state.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema have now been included in the party’s 10-member Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which takes important decisions on the party’s political affairs.

Former Delhi minister and Punjab co-in charge Satyendar Jain has also been added to the committee.

Also Read | Former Cabinet Minister Bhagat Chunni Lal passes away at 95; Punjab declares half-day holiday as mark of respect

Bhagwant Mann was earlier a special invitee to the PAC because he was the Chief Minister. He will now be a permanent member of the panel, giving him a more direct role in decisions related to the party’s Punjab strategy.

The reshuffle has also brought changes to the AAP’s National Executive. Punjab party president Aman Arora, Jagraon MLA Saravjit Kaur Manuke and Talwandi Sabo MLA Baljinder Kaur are no longer part of the 23-member body.

They have been replaced by Rajbir Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Mann, and Bibhav Kumar. Both are involved in administrative work for the party and government in Punjab.

Ghuman’s inclusion comes at a time when his name has figured in an Enforcement Directorate investigation linked to an alleged cash-for-transfer and land fraud case in the state.

The latest appointments are significant as AAP prepares for a tough electoral battle in Punjab. The party won 92 of the 117 Assembly seats in the Punjab Assembly elections in 2022 and formed the government under Bhagwant Mann.

However, the political situation has changed since then. The Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal, along with other Akali groups, are looking to challenge the ruling party. AAP is also facing criticism over issues such as unemployment, drugs, employee protests and the state’s financial situation.

For the BJP, the coming election is particularly important. The party currently has only two MLAs in the 117-member Punjab Assembly and has traditionally relied on its alliance with the SAD to establish a political presence in the state. Its decision to contest the next election on its own therefore marks a significant shift in strategy.

BJP national general secretary BL Santosh has publicly stated that the party will go solo in the Assembly polls. The announcement puts the focus squarely on the BJP's ability to build a wider support base among Punjab's voters.

Over the past few years, the BJP has been attempting to strengthen its organisation across Punjab and reach sections of voters beyond its traditional support base.

The party has also been seeking to rebuild relations with sections of the Sikh and Jat Sikh communities after tensions surrounding the farmers' agitation and the now-repealed farm laws affected its political standing in the state.

The appointment of Kewal Singh Dhillon as Punjab BJP president has been seen as part of this broader effort. Dhillon's long association with the Congress gives the BJP a leader with experience in Punjab politics and could help the party connect with voters outside its established support base.

AAP faces incumbency challenge

The ruling AAP enters the election with the advantage of being in government but also faces the usual challenge of incumbency.

Issues likely to influence the campaign include Punjab's financial position, employment, drugs, law and order, industry and rural concerns. The opposition has repeatedly attacked the Bhagwant Mann government over these issues, while the government is expected to highlight its own welfare and development initiatives.

The BJP has also criticised the influence of the AAP's national leadership over the Punjab government, a charge that the ruling party has rejected.

How voters assess the performance of the Mann government will be one of the biggest factors in determining the shape of the next Assembly election.

Congress struggles with internal differences

The Congress remains a major player in Punjab but has been dealing with factional differences within the state unit. The party has 18 MLAs in the current Assembly and therefore starts with a considerably larger legislative base than the BJP. However, differences among senior leaders have remained a concern.

Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Punjab Congress chief Raja Warring represent competing political voices within the state unit. Efforts by the central leadership to bring different factions together will be crucial if the Congress wants to convert its existing support into electoral gains.

A divided opposition could potentially benefit the BJP, particularly in closely contested constituencies.

On the other hand, the Shiromani Akali Dal is also fighting to rebuild its base. The party is  trying to rebuild its organisation and reconnect with its traditional voter base.

The key battle ahead

Punjab's next Assembly election is unlikely to be a simple contest between two parties. The BJP's decision to go alone, AAP's incumbency, Congress's internal differences and the SAD's attempt at revival could produce a closely fought four-way political battle in several constituencies.

For the BJP, the immediate challenge is to turn organisational expansion into actual votes. For the Congress, unity could prove just as important as its campaign. AAP will have to defend its record in government, while the SAD faces the larger task of restoring its relevance.

With several months still remaining before polling, alliances, candidate selection, defections and local-level political equations could significantly change the electoral landscape.

The eventual result may therefore depend not only on state-wide issues but also on how effectively each party manages its organisation and voter outreach at the constituency level.

As per a report in a daily vernacular, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has repeatedly spoken about identifying alleged "sleeper cells" within the party, while AICC general secretary and Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel has also stressed the need to strengthen the organisation before the next Assembly elections.

Also Read | Fake paneer ban: Artificial paneer banned for one year; hotels, restaurants and cloud kitchens under strict watch

Also Read | Air India turbulence video: Air hostess's 'Fasten Your Seat Belts' warning goes viral after Phuket-Delhi flight scare | Watch

Speaking at party meetings, Raja Warring has reiterated that internal issues contributed significantly to the Congress defeat in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.

He alleged that leaders who were not fully committed to the party weakened its electoral prospects. Referring to former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, Warring described him as a "sleeper cell" and claimed such elements played a major role in the party's defeat.
"The Congress leadership does not want a repeat of that situation in 2027 and is working to identify leaders who may not be fully aligned with the party, says Warring.

'Sleeper cells' may not get election tickets

Raja Warring said the party was preparing to identify leaders who were allegedly maintaining links with rival political parties. "Anyone found working against the interests of the Congress would not be considered for an Assembly ticket, irrespective of their political stature," he said.

Congress likely to promote new faces

Another major message from Raja Warring is the party's focus on introducing a new generation of leaders. He said Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly asked the Punjab leadership to prepare dedicated young leaders who could strengthen the organisation in the long run.

Warring recalled that he had earlier proposed giving nearly 70% of Assembly tickets to new faces, adding that the party now intended to move away from repeatedly fielding the same candidates.

He also argued that in the 2022 elections, several experienced leaders lost while many first-time candidates from AAP emerged victorious, showing that voters were ready for change.

One family, one ticket formula

The Punjab Congress also plans to implement a "One Family, One Ticket" policy during the next Assembly elections. Under the proposed formula, multiple members of the same political family are unlikely to receive tickets simultaneously.

Turncoats may find it difficult to get tickets

The Congress leadership has also indicated that leaders who frequently switch political parties may not be preferred during ticket distribution.

He said speculation about divisions is being exaggerated by sections of the media and a few individuals, while maintaining that all leaders are committed to working under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference in Fatehgarh Sahib, Baghel said he has already met all senior Congress leaders in Punjab, including former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, and has submitted his assessment to the party high command.

Also Read | IMD predicts below-normal rainfall in August-September; July among driest since 2001

He maintained that there is no reason to read differences into the activities of senior leaders, as everyone is working towards the same political objective.

Responding to questions about former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring attending separate programmes in Barnala and Faridkot, Baghel said both leaders are carrying out their respective organisational responsibilities.

He added that despite different schedules, the leaders stand together in support of those who were injured during the recent alleged lathi-charge on students.