Punjab’s Tarn Taran by-poll verdict: Congress to take corrective measures, says Baghel

Days after Congress’ dismal performance in the recently concluded Tarn Taran by-election, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress general secretary in charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel on Friday (November 21, 2025) said the party’s performance was being reviewed and necessary corrective measures would be taken.

Mr. Baghel was responding to a question on the Tarn Taran by-election result at a press conference in Chandigarh. “The performance of the party was being reviewed and all the necessary corrective measures will be taken,” he said, adding that “the ruling party mostly wins the by-elections. Despite that, the Congress had won a by-election in Barnala.”

Congress party’s candidate Karanbir Singh Burj finished fourth, staying behind the Independent Mandeep Singh, who got almost 5,000 more votes than the Congress. The Congress candidate even failed to save his security deposit.

On the Bihar results, Mr. Baghel said, “The Election Commission of India had wholeheartedly supported the BJP.”

He added that Congress will hold a rally in Delhi on December 14 to protest against what he termed as “vote-chori” in the country. “This will be preceded by submission of five crore signed forms against vote-chori from across the country to the President of India, the same day,” he said.

“Punjab had seen a massive response against the BJP’s blatant attempts of vote theft. The party has collected five crore signatures from across the country, and about 27 lakh signatures were collected from Punjab,” he claimed.

Mr. Baghel also held a meeting of the newly appointed District Congress Committee presidents. He said, among other things, the new DCC presidents were asked to mobilise support for the December 14 rally being held in Delhi against the vote theft.