Hockey legend Pargat Singh to lead Punjab Congress, replaces Amarinder Raja Warring

Former Olympian and Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh has been appointed Punjab Congress president, replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. The leadership change comes ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections and follows Warring's resignation.

In Short

• Singh is a former Olympian and ex-Indian hockey captain with long political career
• Singh held key ministerial portfolios under CM Charanjit Singh Channi until March 2022
• Will lead Punjab Congress ahead of 2027 Assembly elections to strengthen organisation

Former Olympian and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh has been appointed president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.

As per an official notification signed by AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, Pargat Singh’s appointment as Punjab Congress president takes effect immediately.

The Congress also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who took charge of the state unit in 2022 after Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The party said the working presidents, chairpersons and co-chairpersons of various election-related committees in Punjab would continue in their existing roles. Warring resigned as Punjab Congress president on Friday.

The leadership change comes ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

Outgoing president Raja Warring congratulated Singh on his appointment as the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, wishing him the best for his new role.

Pargat Singh, a former Indian hockey captain and Olympian, has been active in Punjab politics for more than a decade. He entered electoral politics ahead of the 2012 Punjab Assembly elections and contested the Jalandhar Cantonment seat on a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ticket. He won the constituency and has represented Jalandhar Cantt continuously since then.

Singh’s association with the SAD, however, ended in 2016 when he was suspended by the party. He subsequently became associated with the Awaaz-e-Punjab front, which also included former cricketer and politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and other leaders.

JOINING CONGRESS

Singh later joined the Indian National Congress and contested the Jalandhar Cantt seat on a Congress ticket in the 2017 Assembly elections. He retained the constituency and won it again in the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls, continuing his electoral run from the seat.

In September 2021, Singh was inducted into the Cabinet of then Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. He was given charge of several portfolios, including School Education, Higher Education, Sports and Youth Affairs, and NRI Affairs. He remained a minister until March 2022.

As a Congress MLA, Singh has remained active in state politics and has frequently raised issues concerning sports, governance, farmers and other matters related to Punjab. His background as an international hockey player and former captain has also remained an important part of his public profile.

PARGAT SINGH TAKES CHARGE AHEAD OF 2027 POLLS

Singh’s appointment as PPCC president comes at a significant stage for the state Congress, with the 2027 Assembly elections approaching. The new state chief will be tasked with leading the party organisation in Punjab and overseeing preparations for the next electoral contest.

The change also marks a leadership transition in the Punjab Congress after Warring stepped down from the state party post. Singh will now take charge of the party’s state unit as it prepares for the 2027 polls and works to strengthen its organisational structure across Punjab.

UP ALSO SEES COMMITTEE REJIG

The Congress has also appointed Aradhana Mishra Mona as the new president of its Uttar Pradesh unit, replacing Ajay Rai, ahead of the state Assembly elections.

Saharanpur MP Imran Masood has been named working president, while Devinder Nishad and Alok Prasad have been appointed senior vice presidents.

Chaudhary Virendra Singh has been appointed Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Uttar Pradesh. Mona, a three-time MLA and former Congress Legislature Party leader, takes charge as the party reorganises its state unit ahead of the elections.

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