Chandigarh: Former Punjab minister and Congress Working Committee member Vijay Inder Singla has emerged as a frontrunner to replace Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president, according to multiple reports. The development comes after Warring resigned from the post amid internal differences in the state unit.
From Sangrur MP to Punjab Minister
Singla represented Sangrur in the Lok Sabha until 2014. After losing that election, he moved into state politics and won the Sangrur Assembly seat in 2017.
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During the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government, Singla served as a minister and handled portfolios including Education, Public Works and Information Technology. He lost the Sangrur Assembly election in 2022 and has not held an elected position since.
His organizational role within the Congress has continued to grow. In March 2025, he was inducted into the Congress Working Committee and was also serving as the AICC joint treasurer. In July 2026, the party appointed him chairperson of its Election Management and Coordination Committee for the Punjab Assembly polls.
Why Is Singla Being Considered?
The leadership change comes ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election and follows months of differences within the state Congress unit.
Congress sources cited by news organizations said newly appointed Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot held discussions with leaders and workers across factions before submitting organizational feedback to the central leadership. The high command subsequently decided to replace Warring.
Singla is described in reports as being close to Rahul Gandhi. His name has also been discussed in the context of the party’s effort to balance regional and community representation in the state unit.
Other Names in Race
Singla is not the only name being discussed. Reports have also mentioned Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, former MLA Rana KP Singh and Raja Sansi MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria among possible contenders.
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The Congress is expected to announce Warring’s successor shortly, with the leadership change coming just months before Punjab votes in the 2027 Assembly election.