Clean politics, no vendetta: Pargat Singh assumes charge as Punjab Congress president

Pargat Singh, a three-time MLA and former Indian hockey captain, took formal charge as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president on Sunday at Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh. The ceremony took place amid heavy rains, but the event proceeded as planned. Singh, addressing the gathering, emphasized that his priorities would be Punjab's issues and the aspirations of ordinary citizens.

He pledged to engage in "clean politics" and reject "vendetta politics," expressing that Punjabis do not support the politics of hatred. Singh described assuming the role as an increase in responsibility towards Punjab and noted that the position was not merely a change of charge. Speaking at the ceremony, Sachin Pilot, the current PPCC affairs in-charge, praised Singh as a "proven team player" who has previously captained the Indian hockey team, won medals, and has represented the country at the Olympics.

Pilot also congratulated outgoing president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, acknowledging his four and a half years of hard work. Pilot stated that the party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, would work tirelessly to contest and win the upcoming 2027 Assembly elections. He claimed that people in Punjab are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to remove the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi praised the rain as a welcome development and urged a united fight against those he claimed were "looting" the state. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa acknowledged Warring's tenure and echoed the sentiment that Punjab is waiting for a new government that would protect lives, businesses, and families.

Party sources revealed that AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal was unable to attend due to prior engagements in Delhi.