Amarinder Warring a ‘fighter’, will play ‘very important’ role in Punjab polls: Sachin Pilot

Although Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has been removed as the Punjab Congress chief, the central leader in charge of the State, Sachin Pilot, has hailed him as a “fighter” who will play a “very important role” in the Assembly elections early next year.

In an interview with PTI, Mr. Pilot described Mr. Warring as a “very energetic, hardworking young man", who helped build the Congress at a “challenging” time.

Asked about the change of guard in the Punjab unit soon after his taking over as in-charge of the State, Mr. Pilot hailed Mr. Warring and said he worked hard to strengthen the organisation.

The Congress general secretary, however, added that sometimes, changes in the organisation are necessary.

“Let me tell you, Raja Warring, I've known for 20 years. He's a very, very energetic, hardworking young man. And he has actually helped build the Congress party at a time when, you know, we had only 15-16 MLAs, a very challenging time. And for four years and more, he worked hard to strengthen the organisation,” Pilot told PTI.

After a decision by the party high command, Mr. Warring stepped down as the State president on October 2, and ex-Olympian Pargat Singh took over the post.

At the time, Mr. Warring indirectly blamed Mr. Pilot, the newly appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, for his exit.

Earlier this week, at a ceremony where Pargat Singh took charge, Mr. Warring had said that he may have fallen or might even be denied an election ticket by Mr. Pilot, but he would continue to hold the Congress flag high as a soldier of Rahul Gandhi.