Politics
Sachin Pilot Counters Rivalry Claims, Emphasizes Team Strength Ahead of 2027 Punjab Elections
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
Sachin Pilot, Congress general secretary and Punjab state in‑charge, said on Saturday that the party does not depend on a handful of leaders to run its campaign. In an interview with ANI, Pilot noted that Congress, a 140‑year‑old party with a presence in every village, continually produces new leaders from across the country.
"Our party doesn’t depend on just one, two, or five leaders. When new saplings are planted, new flowers bloom, new leaders emerge, and fresh leadership is born," Pilot said. He rejected accusations of internal rivalry, describing it instead as healthy competition.
Pilot highlighted that Congress relies on a team rather than a single strong figure, pointing to the new state president’s sports background. "A captain is strong, but a captain is only as strong as the team backing him," he added.
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces internal rivalry, citing former Punjab BJP president Captain Amrinder Singh’s unhappiness after leaving Congress. Regarding the chief ministerial face, Pilot said that in government the sitting CM leads the campaign, while in opposition leadership comes collectively from the Leader of Opposition, state party president and senior leaders.
The comments come amid speculation about a rift within Congress. Former Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had suggested that Pilot might have decided to remove ‘Raja’ from a post, though no concrete proof was offered.
Pilot praised Congress’s grassroots leaders, noting their deep roots and widespread popularity. He said the party has many leaders who have served as MLAs, MPs, ministers, CM and Deputy CM.
When asked about former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s move to the BJP, Pilot described him as a pleasant gentleman who made a personal decision to join another party. He added that newcomers in the BJP rarely receive genuine respect and that most prominent Punjab BJP figures are former Congress members.
Pilot said the departures would not significantly impact Congress, noting that people leave parties for various reasons, including legal cases or raids.
He framed the upcoming elections as a direct contest between Congress and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the AAP government of failing on law and order, drugs and the economy. Pilot said the 2021 mandate of 92 seats out of 117 was squandered and that the government has performed poorly on crime, drugs, investment and job creation.
Pilot highlighted the drug problem, noting that drugs reach homes faster than food delivery services and that local police, administration and political establishment play a role in the spread. He said the situation has worsened under Congress as well.
He cited Punjab’s debt, which has risen to ₹4.5 lakh crore from ₹2.5 lakh crore, and warned that no investments are coming in, talent is leaving and drugs are weakening the social fabric.
Pilot accused the AAP government of promoting its own leaders using taxpayers’ money and said Congress aims to restore Punjab to its Green and White Revolution glory.
When asked who would lead Congress, Pilot reiterated that the party does not rely on a few individuals and that leadership is collective. He said AAP has only one face, while Congress has deep bench strength.
The parties are preparing for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. In 2022, AAP won 92 of 117 seats, while Congress secured 18 seats. (ANI)