New Delhi, October 3: Congress General Secretary in-charge of Punjab Sachin Pilot on Saturday backed newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Pargat Singh, describing the former Indian hockey captain as a "national icon", while praising outgoing state party chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring for his contribution to the Congress.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Pilot said Pargat Singh's experience as a former captain of the Indian hockey team and his stature as a sportsperson would help him serve the people of Punjab.
"Pargat Singh Ji has been a national icon. He served as the captain of the Indian hockey team and is a distinguished sportsperson. With that same spirit of inclusivity, he will be able to fully serve the people of Punjab. Together with all Congress Party workers, we will form a government in Punjab in the near future," Pilot said.
Pilot also lauded Raja Warring's long association with the Congress, describing him as a "younger brother" and highlighting his efforts to strengthen the party during his four-year tenure as Punjab Congress chief.
"As for Raja Warring Ji, he is like a younger brother to me. He has worked for the party with great dedication and hard work, not just recently but for the past 20 years, and has strived to strengthen the Congress Party over the last four years. However, change is inevitable with the passage of time, and I am fully confident that he will work even harder to help the party come to power," Pilot said.
On Friday, Pilot had congratulated Pargat Singh on his appointment as PPCC president and expressed hope that the party would perform strongly in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
"I extend my congratulations and best wishes to the newly appointed President of the Punjab Congress Committee, @PargatSOfficial ji. I hope that under your leadership, the party will deliver an outstanding performance in the upcoming assembly elections," Pilot said in a post on X.
The Congress appointed Pargat Singh, former Indian hockey captain and Jalandhar Cantt MLA, as the new PPCC president on Friday, replacing Warring. According to an official notification signed by AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, the appointment took effect immediately.
The party also acknowledged Warring's contribution as the outgoing Punjab Congress president.
"The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing PCC President, Shri Amarinder Singh Raja Warring," the Congress said in its statement.
Warring was appointed Punjab Congress president in 2022, succeeding Navjot Singh Sidhu. He resigned from the post on Friday and congratulated Pargat Singh on his appointment.
"Congratulations to Sardar Pargat ji for being appointed as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. My best wishes," Warring said in a post on X.
