Former Indian hockey captain and three-time MLA Pargat Singh on Sunday formally took charge as Punjab Congress president, calling for unity, positive politics and a campaign centred on people's concerns as the opposition party sought to overcome internal differences ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for early next year.
The 61-year-old Olympian assumed office at Punjab Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh in the presence of senior party leaders, including outgoing president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa.
Singh replaced Ludhiana MP Warring following weeks of internal unrest over the party's state leadership, which had raised concerns about its preparedness for the Assembly elections. The Congress leadership's decision to appoint the former hockey captain was followed by a public show of unity, with leaders from different factions attending the ceremony despite heavy rainfall.
Calls for positive politics
Addressing party workers, Singh thanked the Congress leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility and said his appointment represented a greater commitment to the people of Punjab. "For me, it is not just assuming the charge (of Punjab Congress president), but an increasing of my responsibility towards Punjab," he said. Singh stressed that the party's campaign should focus on the everyday problems of ordinary citizens rather than personal attacks or political vendetta.
"I will do positive politics, one that is not driven by vendetta," he said, urging Congress workers to avoid circulating misleading videos generated using artificial intelligence for negative campaigning.
"The issues of Punjab are first," he asserted, adding that farmers, young people and other sections of society were looking for justice, opportunities and a secure future. "The people of Punjab are waiting for their rights, justice and a secure future. It is our responsibility to meet the expectations of every section, from farmers to young people," Singh said. Maintaining that the Congress remained united, he said the party's struggle was against a system that had failed to protect people's legitimate rights.
Targets Mann government
Taking aim at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Singh said the state government should concentrate on addressing Punjab's problems rather than commenting on the Congress's internal affairs. He maintained that the Congress possessed a strong organisational structure, experienced leaders and dedicated workers capable of mounting an effective campaign.
Raising concerns over law and order and administration, Singh urged Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and Chief Secretary K A P Sinha to discharge their responsibilities within the framework of law. He said the party would raise issues affecting farmers, young people, workers and businesses while holding the state government accountable for its performance.
Pilot praises new leadership
Congress general secretary and Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot congratulated Singh and expressed confidence that he would work effectively with the party's experienced leadership and grassroots workers. "Pargat Singh has a team of experienced Punjab Congress leaders and dedicated workers who could work together to take the party forward," Pilot said. Drawing an analogy from Singh's sporting career, he added, "People say that Congress has got a good captain in Punjab. I would say that a captain also has a good team."
Pilot also praised outgoing president Warring for his work over the past four-and-a-half years, acknowledging his contribution to strengthening the organisation. He said the coming Assembly elections should be viewed as an opportunity to address Punjab's long-term challenges rather than merely a contest for political power. "This election is not to bring Congress to power, or defeat the AAP, it is for the future of the people of Punjab. This election is to save lives of youths," Pilot asserted.
He said the Congress must seek not only electoral success but also the trust of the people by responding to their expectations.
Channi urges collective effort
Former chief minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi congratulated Singh and called upon party leaders and workers to remain united ahead of the elections. Criticising the AAP government, Channi urged Punjabis to stand against those he accused of exploiting the state's resources. "We should move ahead unitedly," he said. "We have to fight the battle of Punjab, Punjabiyat, farmers, labourers and shopkeepers."
Channi announced that the Congress would soon launch a statewide campaign to take its message to every household and highlight the aspirations of the people. He expressed confidence that the party would work collectively under Singh's leadership to challenge the ruling AAP in the forthcoming elections.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also praised the new president and said Punjab needed a government capable of protecting people's lives, businesses and families. Bajwa acknowledged Warring's contribution during his more than four-year tenure as state Congress president.
Senior leaders attend
Among those present at the ceremony were Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi and former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal could not attend because of prior engagements in Delhi, party sources said. The presence of senior leaders was seen as an effort by the party to project organisational unity following differences over the state leadership.