HighLights
  1. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring resigned as Punjab Congress chief.
  2. Vijay Inder Singla and Pargat Singh are top contenders.
  3. Congress seeks unity ahead of 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

Speculation is rife over who will be appointed as the next president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) after Amrinder Singh Raja Warring resigned from the post. This appointment carries significant weight given the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab, expected to take place in February 2027.

ALSO READ: Punjab Polls: Sachin Pilot's Report On Infighting Paved Way For Raja Warring's Exit; What Next For Congress

Frontrunners For The Post

Vijay Inder Singla

Former minister and ex-MP Vijay Inder Singla has emerged as a frontrunner for the post. Singla currently serves as chairperson of the party's election management and coordination committee.

Commenting on the reports, Singla said there was no such issue to his knowledge. However, he emphasised that he is a "loyal soldier" of the party, asserting that all leaders were working together under Warring's leadership. He added that he has always fulfilled the responsibilities assigned to him by the party and would continue to do so, news agency ANI reported. 

Pargat Singh

Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh has also emerged as a strong contender. Pargat has been actively taking forward party matters and raising issues in Punjab. He recently participated in protests demanding the dismissal and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Pargat has maintained a consistent offensive against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He has alleged political collusion between AAP and the BJP, while accusing the state machinery of turning Punjab into a "police state" to suppress dissent.

The party high command aims to appoint a leader who can bridge both camps, those led by Warring and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, as the party prepares for the 2027 assembly elections in the state.

Punjab Congress Infighting

The turmoil within the Punjab Congress unit intensified after July 1, when the central leadership initially chose to retain Warring as PPCC chief. This decision faced opposition from the Channi camp, whose supporters boycotted official state committee events and conducted parallel outreach drives for three months.

ALSO READ: Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring Resigns After Four-Month Leadership Tussle; Who Are Frontrunners?

In August, a grassroots mobilisation campaign brought these internal disputes into the public eye as rival factions clashed and raised slogans against each other. To manage the growing rift, the central leadership replaced Punjab party in-charge Bhupesh Baghel with Sachin Pilot.

Following his appointment, Pilot held a series of meetings with state leaders and submitted a report to the Congress high command, leading to the party's decision to replace Warring.

(With Inputs From Agencies)


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