Chandigarh, October 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pargat Singh on Sunday formally assumed charge as the new president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), pledging to fight for the rights, dignity and future of Punjab’s people. Despite heavy rain, a large number of Congress leaders and workers gathered at Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh for the ceremony.
Punjab Congress in-charge and AICC General Secretary Sachin Pilot formally handed over the responsibility to Pargat Singh. Before taking charge, Singh paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and later hoisted the Congress flag alongside office-bearers of the Congress Seva Dal.
Beginning his address with the phrase “Punjab Basda Guran De Naam Te,” Singh greeted people on Navratri and emphasised the Sikh Gurus’ message of Sarbat Da Bhala — the welfare of all. He said this principle should guide Punjab’s politics and social life.
Singh said the state’s strength lay in its ordinary people, including farmers who feed the country, young people seeking opportunities, traders and business owners contributing to the economy, and families aspiring to a safe and dignified life.
He said the Congress had a responsibility beyond contesting elections and must serve as the voice of the people and defend their rights.
“The people of Punjab are waiting for their rights, justice and a secure future. It is our responsibility to meet the expectations of every section, from farmers to young people,” Singh said, adding that the party was united in its struggle against a system that had failed to deliver people’s rightful entitlements.
He also stressed the need to understand the sentiments of people seeking justice in sacrilege cases, saying public trust and positive changes in people’s lives were the real tests of any government.
Pargat Singh Targets AAP Government, Calls for Politics of Respect and Justice
Taking aim at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Singh said the government should concentrate on addressing public concerns rather than worrying about the Congress leadership.
He expressed confidence in the party’s experienced leadership, naming MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as leaders who would work collectively to safeguard Punjab’s interests.
Singh also appealed to AAP legislators to rise above political pressure and prioritise the state’s interests, saying they still had an opportunity to become the voice of the people.
“We will not allow those who resort to every means — fair or foul — to cross the Rajpura border; we will bring them back as well,” he said.
He maintained that the people of Punjab wanted respect and justice rather than hatred, and called for stronger brotherhood, mutual respect and social harmony.
Referring to the farmers’ movement, Singh said it had demonstrated nationally that united public action could not simply be ignored. He also alleged that the politics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah was weakening democratic values.
“ We will take Punjab forward by combining enthusiasm with prudence. Our priorities will be people’s issues, their rights and a better future for Punjab,” he said.
Pargat Singh Urges Police and Administration to Ensure Accountability
Raising concerns over law and order and the functioning of the administration, Singh urged Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha to act within the framework of the law.
He said public officials had a responsibility to work impartially and ensure that citizens felt secure and confident in the administration. Criticising the AAP government, he alleged that Punjab’s image had suffered during its tenure.
Addressing Congress workers, Singh urged them to keep ordinary people’s problems at the centre of their political activities. He advised party members to avoid negative campaigning and misleading videos generated through artificial intelligence.
Instead, he called on workers to meet people, listen to their concerns, raise their issues and work towards solutions. He also stressed that political differences should not undermine dignity or restraint in public discourse.
Sachin Pilot Says Congress Must Win People’s Trust
Sachin Pilot congratulated Singh on taking charge, saying the new PPCC president had an experienced team of leaders and dedicated workers to support him.
Drawing an analogy from sports, Pilot said a strong team was essential for a successful captain. He said the Congress’s objective was not merely electoral success but also winning the hearts of Punjab’s people and meeting their expectations.
Pilot emphasised the importance of young people in the party’s future and said the Congress would take Rahul Gandhi’s message from villages to cities to mobilise public support for forming a government in Punjab.
He expressed confidence that unity among party workers and public support would strengthen the Congress in the state.
Partap Singh Bajwa Calls for Action Against Gangsterism
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said Punjab’s people wanted a secure environment, better law and order, and a brighter future for their children.
He called for effective action against gangsterism and alleged mafia activities, stressing that young people should have opportunities through education, employment and entrepreneurship rather than being drawn into crime.
Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other AAP leaders, Bajwa said the Congress would ensure accountability if it came to power. He also made a political statement about sending the Chief Minister to jail.
Bajwa expressed concern over the alleged deletion of 20 lakh votes in Punjab and called for resolving problems faced by farmers in selling their crops at grain markets. He said procurement arrangements must operate smoothly so farmers did not encounter unnecessary difficulties.
Charanjit Singh Channi Announces Statewide Campaign
Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi congratulated Singh and said the turnout despite heavy rainfall reflected unity among Congress workers.
Channi said the time for political change in Punjab was approaching and announced that the party would launch a statewide campaign to represent people’s aspirations.
He said the Congress would soon begin its election campaign with a major rally and take its ideology to every household. He expressed confidence that the party would work collectively under Singh’s leadership to form the next government and assured him of his support.
Raja Warring, Randhawa and Other Leaders Pledge Cooperation
Former PPCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring congratulated Singh, citing his national reputation in sports and expressing confidence in his leadership abilities. Warring said the party’s strength lay in its workers and pledged to serve the organisation wherever assigned.
MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also congratulated Singh and urged Congress workers to unite against forces he said were harming Punjab’s interests. Referring to Singh’s hockey background, Randhawa said he would not merely pass the ball to him but would also take on the political challenges posed by the AAP and the BJP.
Randhawa called for renewed public support for the Congress and criticised both the Punjab Chief Minister’s style of functioning and the Central Government, saying democratic values required a united political struggle.
Former minister Vijay Inder Singla said all leaders and workers must work together to form a Congress government in Punjab. MP Amar Singh described Singh’s elevation as an important step towards strengthening the state organisation and called for collective efforts.
Senior Congress Leaders Attend Ceremony
The ceremony was attended by PPCC co-in-charges Suraj Singh Thakur, Ravinder Dalvi and Heena Kanwre; Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa; former Chief Ministers Charanjit Singh Channi and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal; MPs Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Amar Singh, Manish Tewari and Dharamvira Gandhi; and former PPCC president Shamsher Singh Dullo.
Former ministers Vijay Inder Singla, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Sangat Singh Gilzian, Brahm Mohindra, Razia Sultana, Dr Raj Kumar Verka and Sundar Sham Arora were also present, along with Treasurer Amit Vij and MLAs Rana Gurjit Singh, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, Kuldeep Singh Kala Dhillon, Sukhwinder Singh Kotli, Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Bawa Henry, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Hardev Singh Laddi, Bikram Chaudhary and Barindermeet Singh Pahra, among others.
Other attendees included former MP Santosh Chaudhary; former MLAs Sukhwinder Singh Danny Bandala, Pawan Adia, Sukhpal Bhullar, Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Harpartap Singh Ajnala, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, Inderbir Singh Bularia, Harminder Singh Gill and Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon; OBC Cell Chairman Angad Saini; Punjab Youth Congress president Shuvam Sharma Shubhi; and Punjab Mahila Congress president Baljit Kaur.
A large number of Congress leaders and workers also attended the event.
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