New Delhi: Former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has suggested that Congress general secretary in-charge of Punjab Sachin Pilot may have played a role in the decision to change the state party leadership.
Warring, who has stepped down as Punjab Congress chief, said he had already conveyed his views to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and suggested that Pilot may have felt it was time for him to leave the post.
“When he was appointed in charge, I went to formally congratulate him. I spoke with him for about 15 minutes that day… but I haven’t met him since. Given my long journey in politics, I feel that Sachin Pilot must have decided it was time to remove ‘Raja’ from the post. I don’t have concrete proof of this, but perhaps the General Secretary felt that Raja should be removed,” Warring said.
“Otherwise, there is no specific issue… I have conveyed what I had to say to Rahul Gandhi. There is no one left after Rahul Gandhi to whom I could explain what should or shouldn’t happen,” he added.
Warring Says He Shared Punjab Views With Rahul Gandhi
Warring said he met Rahul Gandhi after stepping down from the Punjab Congress president’s post and discussed issues concerning the state.
Recalling the meeting, Warring said he answered Gandhi’s questions about Punjab and shared his views on the state. He also said Gandhi showed affection towards him during the interaction.
“I met my leader, Rahul Gandhi. I answered the questions he asked about Punjab and shared my thoughts. He showed great affection,” Warring said.
He added that after the meeting, he and his wife went to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi to offer prayers.
Warring also expressed satisfaction with his tenure as Punjab Congress president, saying that a tenure could be long or short but should be remembered by people.
“A tenure can be long or short, but it should be one that people remember. My tenure as a minister was exactly that kind—memorable—and one should be grateful for what one receives,” he said.
Raja Warring Steps Down After 4.5-Year Tenure
Warring was appointed Punjab Congress president in 2022, succeeding Navjot Singh Sidhu, and served for around four-and-a-half years. He has now stepped down from the post as the party prepares for a leadership change in Punjab.
The development comes amid internal differences within the Punjab Congress and preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. Sachin Pilot was appointed as the party’s Punjab in-charge in September after Bhupesh Baghel was reassigned. Pilot subsequently held meetings with state leaders and MPs and submitted organisational feedback to the party leadership.
Reports have linked the leadership change to differences within the state unit, including tensions involving Warring and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. These developments have taken place as the Congress prepares its organisation for the upcoming Punjab Assembly polls.
Warring, however, said he was satisfied with his tenure and accepted the party’s decision.
“I am satisfied that, after a 4.5-year tenure as State President, whatever happens, happens for good. Whatever the party gave, I accepted it willingly and obeyed the command,” he said.