Raja Warring resigns as Punjab Congress chief, Singla frontrunner

Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has resigned as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee after the party high command informed him of its decision to replace him, party sources told multiple outlets on 30 September 2026. Former minister and MP Vijay Inder Singla has emerged as the frontrunner for the post. The Hindu, Times Now and The Federal report that Singla, a Hindu face and Congress Working Committee member, was appointed chairperson of the party's election management and coordination committee on 1 July.

Other names in contention include Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh, Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, former MLA Rana KP Singh, Raja Sansi MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, according to various sources. India TV and India Today report that the party leadership has finalised Singla's name and an official announcement could be made on 2 October. The move follows months of factionalism between the Warring and Channi camps. The party is looking for a leader who can unite both factions ahead of the 2027 assembly polls, sources told The Hindu and Times Now. Warring is expected to meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on 1 October, India Today reported.

Update, 1 October 2026: India TV and The Federal now also report the resignation and Singla's frontrunner status. India TV adds that Congress general secretary KC Venugopal spoke to Warring over the phone about the situation, and that the announcement could come on 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti. The Federal, citing PTI, confirms Warring has offered to resign and that the party is weighing several contenders including Pargat Singh, Rana KP Singh and Channi.