‘Congress made a former Akali its Punjab Chief’: Harpal Cheema questions Pargat Singh’s appointment
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 3, 2026: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday questioned the Congress’s decision to appoint Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh as the new president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). Pargat Singh was appointed to the post on Friday, replacing Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
Cheema said Congress could have chosen an old party worker for the position but instead appointed a leader who, according to him, began his political career with the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Cheema also raised questions about Pargat Singh’s political role during the previous Akali Dal government, particularly in relation to the issues of drugs and sacrilege.
He alleged that despite being associated with the Akali Dal at the time, Pargat Singh had not raised his voice against the drug menace or incidents of sacrilege.
Cheema further referred to differences within the Congress over legislation concerning sacrilege cases. He claimed that one section of the party supported such legislation, while another section was allegedly in favour of protecting those accused in such cases.
The Finance Minister said Pargat Singh himself had raised the issue in the Punjab Assembly and questioned him over which side he stood on. “Which side are you on?” Cheema asked Pargat Singh, according to the remarks.
Pargat Singh, a former Indian hockey captain and three-time MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment, was appointed Punjab Congress president following Raja Warring’s resignation on Friday. He has previously served as Punjab’s Education and Sports Minister.