Patiala: The Punjab Congress on Thursday launched its eight-day ‘Jawani Sambhal Cycle Yatra’ from Chamkaur Sahib in Ropar district, seeking to mobilise youth against drugs, gangsterism and unemployment ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot flagged off the yatra in the presence of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Pargat Singh and campaign committee chairperson Charanjit Singh Channi. More than 2,000 cyclists joined the inaugural leg, according to the party.The first of four planned phases will cover about 625km across 27-28 assembly segments. After participants paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Katalgarh Sahib, the yatra travelled via Khamanon to Samrala on Thursday. It is scheduled to proceed towards Sahnewal and Ludhiana on Friday.Channi described the initiative as a listening tour aimed at understanding the concerns of young people and mobilising support against the Aam Aadmi Party govt. He said it was a programme of the entire party and formed part of the Punjab Mangda Insaaf campaign launched by Rahul Gandhi from Sangrur.Pilot accused the Bhagwant Mann-led govt of failing to maintain law and order and alleged corruption involving officials and family members. He said the campaign was not merely aimed at returning Congress to power but at putting Punjab back on track.“Only Congress can provide a stable and secure govt. If the SAD and BJP forge an alliance, people will seek answers from them on the issues that led to their breakup,” Pilot said. He also questioned the BJP’s contribution to Punjab over the past 12 years and claimed the AAP would collapse once the election code of conduct came into force.Pargat described the coming election as an ideological battle to protect Punjab, Punjabiyat and Sikhism. Criticising Mann, he said wearing a yellow turban did not make someone Bhagat Singh without embracing his ideals and spirit of sacrifice. He also alleged that the welfare kits distributed by the govt contained meagre quantities of essential items.Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa assured voters that Congress would not discontinue existing social welfare schemes if elected. He said the party high command would decide its chief ministerial candidate at the appropriate time.Party leaders also accused the BJP-led govt at the Centre of failing Punjab and linked the fight against drugs to the need for political change in the state.Former PPCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was absent amid reports of factionalism between his camp and that of Channi.
