NEW DELHI: Newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Pargat Singh on Saturday said the people of Punjab have consistently rejected the “politics of hatred” and asserted that the state needs “meaningful”, “positive” and agenda-based politics focused on its development and the issues it faces.Addressing the media, the former Indian hockey captain and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA said the people of Punjab must stand up against the illegal occupation of properties, alleging that such activities were draining the state treasury.“Punjabis have always defeated the politics of hatred. And the politics of hatred happening across the country-Punjabis will never accept that. Punjab has always stood against invaders and plunderers. The present State government is engaging in plunder; even illegal occupations of bungalows and properties are being carried out by plunderers. The treasury of Punjab is being drained and spent in the same manner. I believe the people of Punjab need to stand up for Punjab,” he said.
Singh thanks Congress leadership after appointment
Expressing gratitude to the Congress leadership, Singh thanked the party’s senior leaders for appointing him to head the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee.“I thank the party High Command, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Sonia Gandhi for my appointment.”Singh said the Congress party‘s focus under his leadership would remain on constructive governance and issues affecting the public.“The people are peace-loving and have always rejected the politics of plunderers, as shown throughout Punjab’s history. You will see that they will continue to defeat it. Now, in Punjab, we will practice meaningful politics, positive politics, and agenda-based politics-focusing on what Punjab actually needs in the coming times,” he said.
Pargat Singh’s hockey career and political responsibility
Pargat Singh, a former Indian hockey captain and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA, has had a long association with competitive sport before entering politics.His wife had earlier referred to his sporting background while expressing confidence that he would approach his new political responsibility by taking on challenges rather than avoiding them.The Congress’s change of leadership in Punjab comes ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with Pargat Singh now taking charge of the state party organisation.(With ANI inputs)
