Amritsar: Newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Pargat Singh arrived in Punjab on Thursday for the first time after taking charge as the state party chief. He was accompanied by Punjab Congress affairs in-charge Sachin Pilot as the party began its programme in Amritsar ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Pargat Singh reached Amritsar Airport from Delhi in the morning, where Congress leaders and workers gathered to welcome him. The reception included the beating of dhols as party supporters greeted the new state chief.
From the airport, Pargat Singh and Sachin Pilot left for the Golden Temple to pay obeisance. During the journey, Pilot was seen driving the car carrying Pargat Singh.
Pargat Singh, Sachin Pilot Begin Amritsar Programme
The two leaders are scheduled to visit several prominent religious places in Amritsar as part of the Congress programme. Apart from Sri Harmandir Sahib, the itinerary includes the Durgiana Temple, St Paul’s Church and Ram Tirath.
The programme brings together senior Congress leaders and workers as the party seeks to project unity in Punjab after a period of internal differences. All sitting and former Congress MLAs have also been invited to join the Amritsar programme.
The visit is also being seen as the beginning of the party’s preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Pargat Singh is scheduled to visit Chintpurni in Himachal Pradesh on October 9, followed by a programme in Jalandhar on October 10.
He will formally take charge as Punjab Congress president at a ceremony at Punjab Congress Bhavan in Chandigarh on October 11.
Pargat Meets Raja Warring Before Returning to Punjab
Before travelling to Punjab, Pargat Singh met former Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring in Delhi.
After the meeting, Pargat said the Congress in Punjab was united. He maintained that leaders could have different opinions, describing such differences as part of democracy. He also said the party would fight the 2027 Assembly elections as a united force.
The meeting with Warring assumes significance as the former state Congress chief had stepped down from the post earlier this month amid differences within the party. Pargat was subsequently appointed as his replacement.
Congress Focuses on Unity Ahead of 2027 Polls
Pargat Singh’s first major programme after his appointment comes at a time when the Punjab Congress is trying to bring different factions together and strengthen its organisation at the grassroots level.
The party’s leadership has been holding consultations with senior leaders and workers, with coordination, organisational strengthening and preparations for the 2027 elections emerging as key priorities.
The Amritsar programme is therefore being closely watched as an early test of whether the new leadership can present a united Congress in Punjab.