New Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh promises consensus-led team

Pargat Singh, the newly appointed president of the Punjab Congress, has sought to downplay factionalism in the state unit, saying decisions would be taken collectively and with Punjab’s interests in mind. Singh, a former hockey player and India captain, said he had always played as a full-back, a position focused on supporting the team from behind. He said he would bring the same approach to party work by giving prominence to senior colleagues.

“I have been a team player,” Singh told reporters after arriving in New Delhi on Saturday. He said the party had good players and that decisions would be taken unanimously. The comments came a day after he was appointed to replace Raja Warring, who had led the Punjab unit for more than four and a half years.

Singh takes charge as the state Congress organisation faces factional tensions ahead of assembly elections due early next year. He said the issue was Punjab rather than differences within the party, and described Warring as a member of the same team who had worked hard. Singh also said the Congress needed to fight what he described as dictatorship in the country and work to restore democracy.

He referred to the organisation as Rahul Gandhi’s team and said it would pursue constructive politics. Asked about bringing former Congress members back, Singh said anyone willing to contribute to Punjab was welcome to rejoin. He said the state would become stronger and provide a new example for the country.

Singh later paid obeisance at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. He also described India’s women’s hockey gold medal as a great gift following his appointment and said Punjab would have a very good team in the coming period.