Chandigarh, Nov. 15 -- The Congress party's dismal performance in the Tarn Taran bypoll, not only finishing fourth but also losing the security deposit in a high-stakes contest, has triggered serious questions about its preparedness for the 2027 state assembly elections.

The electoral outcome transcends a mere local setback; it highlights deepening factionalism, organisational drift and the party's diminishing foothold in a politically sensitive border region that was once considered its stronghold.

The bypoll exposed Congress's inability to consolidate "anti-incumbency" against the AAP government. Instead of positioning itself as the main opposition, the party surrendered space to both the Shiromani Akali Dal and an Independent candida...