Chandigarh, October 20: The Punjab Congress is set to announce its new district presidents this week, initiating a major organisational reshuffle ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The appointments, made under the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, will replace the existing 29 district chiefs appointed in 2022.
Confirming the development, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, “The district presidents were selected through a transparent process, and without any favouritism.”
Party sources said AICC co-incharge for Punjab Ravinder Dalvi held final discussions with Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal on Saturday. The talks, held after consultations with the state’s top leadership, focused on ensuring caste and regional balance in the appointments.
At least five Hindu, five OBC, and seven Dalit leaders are expected to feature in the new lineup. Ten existing district chiefs, including sitting MLAs, are likely to be retained. The move is aimed at consolidating the party’s presence in weak Assembly segments such as Kharar, Banga, Chabbewal, Batala, Patiala (Urban), and others.
The Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan involved 29 AICC-appointed observers — including MPs, former Union ministers, and ex-state chiefs — who shortlisted candidates after consulting a cross-section of leaders. A similar model was earlier implemented successfully in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh to enhance representation of OBC and minority groups.
According to party insiders, the restructuring of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) will follow in the second phase of the overhaul. The reconstitution of the state unit has been pending since Warring took charge in April 2022.
The state Congress leadership had faced turbulence earlier this year when three working presidents — Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Pargat Singh, and Kushaldeep Dhillon — quit after the Ludhiana (West) bypoll loss. The defeat deepened factional rifts, with leaders close to Warring accused of distancing themselves from the campaign.
