Congress undergoes major organisational reshuffle (photo:Social Media @bhupeshbaghel)

Congress makes Sachin Pilot Punjab in-charge, shifts Bhupesh Baghel to Assam

Pilot's appointment places the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister at the centre of the Congress's preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Pilot replaces Bhupesh Baghel amid factional tensions in Punjab
  • Baghel shifted to Assam; Surjewala given charge of Gujarat
  • Congress appoints new in-charges for Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra & Andhra

The Congress on Saturday appointed Sachin Pilot as its general secretary in charge of poll-bound Punjab, replacing Bhupesh Baghel amid continuing factional tensions in the state unit.

The Punjab Congress has been divided over the leadership structure announced in July, under which Amrinder Singh Raja Warring was retained as state president and former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi was appointed campaign committee chairman.

Leaders from the Channi camp subsequently pressed for Warring’s removal during a meeting with Baghel. The dispute later spilled into the open through rival sloganeering and clashes at party events.

Pilot’s appointment places the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister at the centre of the Congress’s preparations for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. His immediate challenge will be to unite the competing camps, coordinate among the state’s power centres and prevent factional differences from disrupting the campaign.

He will also have to manage organisational responsibilities and the politically sensitive process of candidate selection as the Congress seeks to mount a united challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.

The task assumes added significance given the factional turmoil that preceded the Congress’s defeat in the 2022 Punjab election.

The changes take effect immediately, AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said in a statement.

Baghel has been shifted to Assam, while Randeep Singh Surjewala has been appointed general secretary in charge of Gujarat. Surjewala will retain charge of Karnataka.

Sukhdeo Bhagat has been appointed in charge of Chhattisgarh, Dr Sirivella Prasad of Maharashtra and PV Mohan of Andhra Pradesh.

- Ends