‘I’m a team player, will work as full-back’: New Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh

Pargat Singh, a former hockey player and India captain, said he had always played as a “full-back,” a position centred on supporting the team from behind, and would continue to play the same role in the party by giving prominence to other senior members. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Downplaying factionalism in the Punjab Congress, newly appointed State chief Pargat Singh on Saturday (October 3, 2026) said the team was a good one and all decisions would be taken unanimously, keeping the interests of the State in mind.Mr. Singh, a former hockey player and India captain, said he had always played as a "full-back," a position centred on supporting the team from behind, and would continue to play the same role in the party by giving prominence to other senior members.The former Olympian said there was "dictatorship" in the country currently, and "we have to bring back democracy," for which they would fight."I have been a team player, and all my seniors have always been respectful to me. We will take all decisions unanimously. I have always played like a full-back, at the back, and I feel there are very good players in our team," Mr. Singh told reporters after his arrival in the national capital.The former captain of the Indian national men's hockey team was appointed the new president of the Punjab Congress on Friday (October 2, 2026), replacing Mr. Warring, who had held the position for more than 4.5 years. Mr. Singh takes over at a time when the State unit has been riven by factionalism, ahead of Assembly elections due early next year."We are a team. This is Rahul Gandhi's team. We will bring constructive politics in the country. We have to revive democracy, as the country is witnessing dictatorship and we have to revive democracy," Mr. Singh told reporters.He later paid obeisance at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. He said the gold medal won by the Indian women's hockey team was "a great gift for me," and there could not be a better gift than that, following his recent appointment. "In the coming time, you would get a very good team in Punjab," he said.Asked about the outgoing chief, Mr. Singh said: "Raja Warring has been our president for 4.5 years, and he worked hard and did good work. This is an ongoing process, as I have also remained as secretary, general secretary." "It is a team, and Raja ji is a player of our team. All players in our team are good, and I have never heard any complaint from anyone. I respect all the seniors, and they have also accorded me respect. The issue is Punjab and not differences amongst us," he said, adding that everyone would be ahead of him in the team.On bringing former Congressmen back into the party fold, Mr. Singh said: "All are welcome to join back the Congress. Anyone contributing for Punjab is welcome to join the Congress, as Punjab will lead." He said Punjab would emerge stronger and present a new example before the country. Published - October 03, 2026 01:32 pm IST