Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh has called for a political approach focused on Punjab’s interests, peace and social harmony as he takes charge of the party’s state unit.
Speaking after his appointment, Singh invoked Punjab’s connection with the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and said people in the state had traditionally rejected politics centred on hatred and division.
Singh also took aim at the Punjab government, raising allegations concerning the handling of government properties and the state treasury. He said Punjabis needed to come together to protect the interests of the state and address issues affecting its people.
The Congress appointed Singh as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee on October 2, shortly after Amarinder Singh Raja Warring resigned from the post. The leadership change comes months before the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Singh expressed gratitude to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K.C. Venugopal for giving him the responsibility. He also thanked senior party leaders and said he would work to strengthen the organisation in Punjab.
The new state Congress chief is a former India hockey captain and a three-time MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment. Before entering electoral politics, he represented India at the Olympics and later served as Punjab’s sports and education minister.
Singh takes over at a time when the Punjab Congress has been dealing with differences among senior leaders. His immediate organisational task will include bringing the state unit together and preparing the party for the next Assembly election.
In his remarks, Singh said the Congress would focus on what he described as constructive and meaningful politics while working to address the concerns of people across Punjab.
