Pargat Singh formally assumed charge as the newly appointed president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) in Chandigarh on Sunday, 11 October 2026, pledging to champion the rights, dignity, and aspirations of the state's people — particularly farmers, youth, traders, and ordinary families. The ceremony drew large numbers of Congress leaders and workers despite rainfall, reflecting the party's attempt to project organisational unity ahead of the next Punjab assembly elections.

Handover Ceremony and Party Show of Strength

State Congress In-charge Sachin Pilot formally handed over the state party presidency to Pargat Singh at the event. Before assuming charge, Singh paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi. Congress leaders described the turnout — undeterred by rain — as a demonstration of worker commitment and solidarity at a politically significant moment for the party in Punjab.

Pargat Singh's Key Pledges

Addressing the gathering, the new Punjab Congress president declared that the party's real strength lay in its ordinary citizens: farmers who feed the nation, young people struggling to secure their futures, traders who drive the state's economy, and families striving for a safe and dignified life. He made clear that Congress's role was not limited to contesting elections but extended to becoming a genuine voice for the people. '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. The Congress is united, and our struggle is against a system that has failed to secure people's rightful entitlements,' Singh said. He also called for justice in sacrilege cases, stating that the sentiments of those awaiting justice must be understood and voiced.

Attack on AAP Government

Pargat Singh trained his sights on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), asserting that the Punjab government should concern itself with the problems facing citizens rather than with the composition of the Congress team. He argued that the true test of any government was the public trust it earned and the tangible change it delivered to people's lives. He also appealed directly to AAP MLAs, urging them to rise above political pressure and prioritise Punjab's interests over party loyalty, adding that legislators still had time to become the voice of the people.

Experienced Team at the Helm

Singh highlighted the experience within the state Congress leadership, specifically referencing Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as pillars the party would rely on to safeguard Punjab's interests collectively. Pilot, drawing on a sporting analogy consistent with Singh's cricketing background, noted that a strong team was indispensable for a good captain.

Sachin Pilot's Message: Youth and Rahul Gandhi's Outreach

Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot congratulated Pargat Singh and underscored the party's broader strategic intent — to win not just elections but the hearts of Punjab's people. Pilot emphasised the centrality of youth, stating that the future belonged to young people, and that Congress would carry Rahul Gandhi's message from villages to cities to build the groundswell needed for a Congress government in Punjab. This comes amid a sustained Congress push to recover ground in a state it lost to AAP in the 2022 assembly elections by a historic margin.