The former Indian hockey captain and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh has been appointed as the new president of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) following Amarinder Singh Raja Warring quitting from the position of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC).
The Congress announced Singh's appointment on 2 October 2026 and the decision came into effect immediately. Warring met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi and formally submitted his resignation before the party announced his successor.
Singh’s appointment comes just months ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, putting him at the centre of the party's organisational preparations to go into action.
Pargat Singh Talks about Punjab's Political Tradition
Pargat Singh talked about his approach to politics in Punjab after he was appointed. Punjabis have historically rejected what he described as politics of hatred, he said.
He also said that the people of Punjab are peace-loving and called for politics focused on positive issues and matters concerning the state.
Singh said, “Punjabis have always defeated politics of hatred,” and stressed the need for people in Punjab to stand up for their state and fight back against it.
Thanks Congress Leadership
Pargat Singh also expressed gratitude to the Congress leadership for giving him the responsibility of heading the state unit.
He thanked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal for the appointment. Singh also thanked the party’s Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot.
In a separate statement reported by PTI, Singh said he would work with complete dedication and commitment to strengthen the Congress in Punjab and serve the people of the state.
#WATCH | Delhi | Newly appointed Punjab Congress Chief Pargat Singh speaks on his appointment
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2026
He says, "Punjabis have always defeated politics of hatred. They never accept those who do politics of hatred. The people of Punjab need to stand for their state. I thank the party… pic.twitter.com/uzDSPc4r3B
From Hockey Captain to Punjab Congress Chief
Pargat Singh, 61, entered politics after a long career in Indian hockey. He represented India at many Olympics and captained the national team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
He entered electoral politics with the Shiromani Akali Dal and later joined the Congress. Singh has represented the Jalandhar Cantonment constituency three times and also served as a cabinet minister in the Punjab government.
Focus on State Issues
As the new Punjab Congress chief, Singh has already said that his political messaging will be to focus on issues in relation to the state.
His appointment comes as Congress prepares for the 2027 Assembly elections. The party also has had to deal with differences among leaders in its Punjab unit.
Singh’s focus on positive politics and state-related issues will be reflected in his first step as PPCC president.
For now, his first major task will be to organise the state unit and work with Congress leaders across Punjab ahead of the next Assembly election.
