'Congress Focused On Punjab': Sachin Pilot Says BJP 'Struggling To Find Foothold' Ahead Of Polls | Exclusive

News india 'Congress Focused On Punjab': Sachin Pilot Says BJP 'Struggling To Find Foothold' Ahead Of Polls | Exclusive

Last Updated:October 23, 2026, 17:59 IST

Congress leader Sachin Pilot speaks to CNN-News18 on Punjab poll strategy, the BJP’s position in the state, opposition protests and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot has said the party is focusing on Punjab’s political situation ahead of the Assembly elections, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is struggling to establish itself in the state.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Pilot spoke about Congress’s internal dynamics, its Punjab poll strategy, the politics of dissent and protest, and questions surrounding electoral democracy.

“It doesn’t matter who allies with whom. We all know that the BJP is struggling to find a foothold in Punjab," Pilot said, referring to the political alignments taking shape ahead of the state elections.

Emphasising the need to prioritise the state’s concerns, he said, “Right now we are all focused on saving Punjab. Where we are today, it’s not a happy situation for the people of Punjab, and that should be our top concern."

Pilot also argued that the Congress had been holding the state government accountable through its work on the ground, while criticising both the Punjab government and the BJP at the national level.

“Punjab government is on the backfoot in the state, the BJP is on the backfoot nationally because of the recent protests, whereas the Congress party has worked on the ground in holding the government accountable, so we are well placed to take on the leadership challenge," he said.

His remarks come amid the Congress’s preparations for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, with the party seeking to challenge the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and address organisational issues within its state unit.

Pilot also raised questions about the state of democracy in India, questioning whether the country’s electoral institutions are upholding democratic principles.

“This country deserves a functional democracy that is true to its word, not just on paper. But today we have Gyanesh Kumar as CEC. Does he represent the ethos of true democracy?" he asked.

His remarks come amid the Congress-led opposition’s protests over alleged irregularities in the electoral process and demands for accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

On October 14, Pilot, while talking to news agency PTI, had demanded Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities.

Pilot had also defended protests and legal challenges as part of democratic dissent, while maintaining that the party would continue to participate in elections.

Pilot’s comments reflect the Congress’s broader messaging ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, with the party seeking to make governance and accountability central to its campaign.

Earlier, while speaking to PTI, Pilot had said the Congress would fight the Punjab elections as a team and ruled out projecting a chief ministerial face at that stage.

He also expressed confidence in the party’s prospects, saying it would form the next government in the state.

In a separate interview with The Tribune, Pilot had discussed the challenges facing the Punjab Congress, including internal differences, the BJP’s efforts to expand its presence in the state and the possibility of changing political alliances.

He said the Congress needed to bring voters together while focusing on issues such as unemployment, drugs and law and order.

Pilot had also targeted the AAP government over law and order. During his Punjab visit, he alleged that gang violence, extortion and drug-related concerns had worsened under the Bhagwant Mann government.

Pilot had also accused the BJP-led Centre of failing to curb cross-border drug trafficking and said the BJP was attempting to find a foothold in Punjab ahead of the elections.

About the Author

Pallavi Ghosh

Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. S...Read More

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