States » NorthPosted at: Oct 8 2026 5:11PM


New Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh makes show of unity; Sachin Pilot drives him to Golden Temple

Chandigarh, Oct 8 (UNI) Newly appointed Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh made a show of party unity today as he arrived in Amritsar with Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot, who personally drove him to the Golden Temple, marking the former hockey captain's first visit to Punjab since taking charge of the state unit.
Singh, who replaced Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on October 3, was welcomed by party workers with drumbeats at Amritsar airport after arriving from New Delhi around 9 a.m.
"Today, I have come to Sri Darbar Sahib to offer my gratitude. Today is not a day for politics. I will certainly talk politics, but after a day or two," Singh told reporters after offering prayers.
Pilot's decision to drive Singh's car was seen as a symbolic gesture of solidarity as the Congress seeks to overcome internal divisions ahead of the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.
Accompanied by former deputy chief minister O.P. Soni and other senior leaders, Singh also visited Durgiana Temple, St Paul's Church and Ram Tirath, underscoring the party's emphasis on secularism and outreach to different religious communities.
Before returning to Punjab, Singh met outgoing state president Raja Warring in Delhi and dismissed concerns about factionalism.
"Everyone can have their own opinion. That is the beauty of democracy," Singh said, asserting that the Congress would contest the 2027 elections unitedly.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, meanwhile, took a swipe at the leadership change, saying Singh might have captained a hockey team but could score goals only if his Congress teammates passed him the ball.
The AAP also circulated a cartoon video highlighting alleged divisions within the opposition party.
Singh is expected to hold consultations with senior Congress leaders in Mohali before visiting the Chintpurni temple in Himachal Pradesh on Friday, as the party steps up preparations to challenge the ruling AAP and the BJP in the 2027 elections.
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