Raja Warring confirms exit as Punjab Congress chief, updates X bio to ‘former president’; who will take charge next?
PTC Web Desk: Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is no longer the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, bringing an end to his tenure as the state party chief ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in the state.
Raja Warring has resigned from the post after the Congress high command decided to make a leadership change in Punjab. He has also updated his profile on X to describe himself as the “former president, Punjab Congress”, effectively confirming his exit from the position.
The development comes after weeks of discussions within the party over the functioning of the Punjab unit and its leadership. The Congress is now expected to name Warring's successor, with several senior leaders being discussed for the top organisational post.
Warring's exit comes ahead of 2027 Punjab elections
The change in leadership comes at a crucial time for the Congress, with the next Punjab Assembly election approaching. The Congress leadership has been holding consultations with senior Punjab leaders as it seeks to reorganise the state unit. Party sources have linked the decision to feedback gathered by newly appointed Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot, who replaced former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in September.
Pilot has held meetings with leaders and office-bearers as part of an assessment of the organisation. Reports said his feedback was discussed with the central leadership amid continuing differences within the Punjab unit.
Vijay Inder Singla among names in focus
With Raja Warring's departure confirmed, attention has now shifted to the next Punjab Congress president. Former Sangrur MP and former minister Vijay Inder Singla has emerged as one of the prominent names under consideration. Reports have described him as a leading contender for the post, although the final decision rests with the Congress high command.
Other senior leaders whose names have figured in discussions include Pargat Singh, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Gurjit Singh Aujla, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Charanjit Singh Channi.
The final choice is expected to take into account the party's organisational requirements as well as the need to accommodate different sections and regional leadership within Punjab.
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Several senior leaders in the race
The Punjab Congress leadership has several prominent faces across the state's major regions.
From the Majha region, the names in discussions include Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Raja Sansi MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla.
The Doaba region is represented among the possible contenders by Jalandhar Cantonment MLA and former minister Pargat Singh, besides former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi.
From the Malwa region, former Sangrur MP Vijay Inder Singla is among the prominent names being discussed.
The Congress has already assigned organisational responsibilities to some of these leaders. Aujla, Pargat Singh and Sarkaria are serving as co-chairpersons of the party's manifesto committee for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Leadership change follows months of internal differences
The leadership change follows a prolonged period of differences within the Punjab Congress. Warring had continued in the post despite calls from some party colleagues for a change in leadership. The central leadership subsequently brought Sachin Pilot in as Punjab in-charge, replacing Bhupesh Baghel.
The Congress has since stepped up consultations with its Punjab leaders, with the objective of preparing the organisation for the upcoming Assembly polls.
Reports have also indicated that the central leadership is looking for a new state chief who can work across the different factions within the party.
- PTC NEWS
