Chandigarh: The AICC carried out a major organizational reshuffle in UP and Punjab on Friday. The Congress appointed former Indian hockey team captain and Olympian Pargat Singh as the new state president of the Punjab Congress. With this appointment—made just months before the assembly elections—the Congress has entrusted the responsibility of the state organization to a leader from the Doaba region. Pargat has succeeded Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
Who is Pargat Singh
Pargat Singh was born on March 5, 1965, in Mithapur village, Jalandhar district, Punjab. Mithapur is considered a nursery for Indian hockey, having produced numerous international players for the country. He completed his schooling and college education in Jalandhar. Having picked up a hockey stick in childhood, Pargat established his dominance at the national level at a very young age through his dedication and discipline.
Pargat Singh is the MLA from Jalandhar Cantt and hails from Punjab’s Doaba region. He began his public life on the sports field; he served as the captain of the Indian hockey team and represented India at the Olympic Games. Subsequently, he turned to politics and contested the Jalandhar Cantt assembly seat in 2012 on a Shiromani Akali Dal ticket. He won the election, thereby entering active politics.
Joined Congress in 2017
Pargat Singh joined the Congress party ahead of the 2017 assembly elections. He then contested the election from Jalandhar Cantt on a Congress ticket and was elected MLA for the second consecutive term. He retained the Jalandhar Cantt seat in the 2022 assembly elections as well, making him a three-time MLA from this constituency.
In 2021, after Navjot Singh Sidhu became the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, Pargat Singh was assigned the responsibility of General Secretary (Organization) within the PPCC. Subsequently, he was appointed Minister of Sports and Education in the Punjab government led by Charanjit Singh Channi.
Keeping the organization united will be a challenge
After taking charge of the state Congress, Pargat Singh will face the challenge of keeping the organization united and taking senior leaders along. His tenure is considered crucial amid the internal infighting that has been ongoing within the party for some time. With an eye on the 2027 assembly elections, the Congress will also need to work on strengthening its organization in Punjab.
Congress issues statement
Raja Warring had been leading the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee since 2022. However, he has stepped down amid recent discussions regarding leadership and factionalism within the organization.
A statement issued by the Congress party announced that Pargat Singh has been appointed as the Punjab Congress President with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who submitted his resignation today, has also been thanked for his tenure.