Bharat Bhushan Ashu has resigned from his post as Working President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Photo Credit: Babushahi Bureau
In the wake of his significant loss in the Ludhiana West bypoll, Bharat Bhushan Ashu has tendered his resignation as the Working President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). The move, made on June 23, 2025, comes on the heels of his defeat to AAP’s Sanjeev Arora by a decisive margin of 10,637 votes—a result that has intensified scrutiny of Congress’s leadership and campaign strategy in Punjab.
Ashu, a two-time MLA and former cabinet minister, stated that he alone contested the election and therefore must take responsibility for the party’s setback. While he has resigned, the PPCC is yet to formally accept his departure.
Broader Context: Congress Faces Accountability in Multiple States
Punjab is not alone in witnessing Congress leaders stepping down after electoral defeats. In Gujarat, Congress state chief Shaktisinh Gohil resigned following poor showings in the Kadi and Visavadar bypolls. The back-to-back exits highlight a growing trend of leadership change across key Congress units, signalling pressure to reassess strategy ahead of upcoming elections.
Internal Ripples and Leadership Gaps in Punjab
Ashu’s resignation has exposed underlying tensions in the Punjab Congress. Despite his efforts as a candidate, significant party figures such as PPCC President Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa were notably absent during the campaign. Their disengagement drew sharp criticism from veterans like Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Simarjit Singh Bains, who faulted the absence of cohesive leadership during a critical contest.
Khaira questioned whether some leaders were complicit with rivals, while Bains attributed the defeat to what he termed as Ashu’s “ego” and marginalization of grassroots campaigners. Such internal fractures are now expected to intensify calls for realignment within the state unit.
Party Response and Strategic Shift
The Congress high command is now under pressure to act decisively. Analysts suggest potential restructuring in the PPCC’s leadership hierarchy and campaign approach. There are strong voices advocating for stronger ground coordination, disciplined candidate selection, and clear leadership endorsement in high-stakes bypolls.
Punjab’s President Raja Warring has downplayed the defeat while promising comprehensive introspection. However, unless bolstered by visible organizational reforms, sentiment within the party and among voters risks growing more restless.
What This Means Ahead of 2027 Elections
Punjab Congress has suffered four losses in five recent bypolls—a pattern that signals mounting vulnerability. With the 2027 state assembly elections approaching, restoring unity, rebuilding credibility, and refining campaign execution have become urgent priorities.
Leaders such as Sukhpal Khaira and Simarjit Bains are urging new leadership to emerge, emphasizing grassroots outreach and disciplined coordination across factions. The Congress’s ability to revamp its cadre and message will determine its future electoral relevance in Punjab.
Final Word
Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s resignation is more than a personal accountability gesture—it is a symptom of deeper fault lines within Punjab Congress. Coupled with similar resignations like in Gujarat, it signals a party at a crossroads, needing both introspection and action.
As Congress grapples with internal discord and strategic recalibration, its response in the coming months could shape not only its prospects in Punjab, but also its credibility as a national alternative against rivals such as AAP and the BJP.
