Punjab infighting: Congress names Sachin Pilot to replace Bhupesh Baghel as State In-charge

The Congress on Saturday roped in former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot to shore up the party's chances in the upcoming Assembly elections in Punjab by naming him as General Secretary In-Charge of the state, replacing Bhupesh Baghel.

Pilot's new assignment comes amid wide speculations of discord and infighting within the Punjab Congress ahead of the Assembly elections and Baghel's challenges in sorting out division or factionalism in the organisation.

Recently, Baghel had denied infighting within the Punjab Congress and claimed that all the party leaders stood firmly behind Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the newly appointed Punjab Congress Committee (PCC) Chief.

He also said that discussions with senior leaders, including Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, would continue in the coming days.

Earlier, Baghel held several meetings with Punjab Congress leaders, even as leaders considered close to Channi remained wary of the developments in the party.

In July, the Congress high command announced that Raja Warring would continue as the Punjab Congress President while simultaneously unveiling various party committees for the 2027 Assembly elections.

However, leaders who clamoured for Channi to occupy the post of Punjab Congress President expressed their displeasure and refused to meet Baghel, who reached the state to address growing factionalism in the state unit, post organisational reshuffle.

Sent to Punjab for fire-fighting, Baghel rejected reports of factionalism within the state unit but, apparently, failed to check discontentment among the various factions led by Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi.

Elections to pick a new 117-member Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held around February 2027.

Meanwhile, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) said that the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reassigned/appointed new AICC General Secretaries and state in-charges with immediate effect.

"Bhupesh Baghel will oversee Assam, Randeep Singh Surjewala Gujarat and Karnataka, and Sachin Pilot Punjab. Sukhdeo Bhagat, Sirivella Prasad and P.V. Mohan will handle Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh," a circular issued by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal.

"The party appreciates the contributions of the following outgoing General Secretary/In-Charges: Jitendra Singh, Ramesh Chennithala and Manickam Tagore," Venugopal said, adding that Mukul Wasnik will continue as AICC General Secretary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IANS

[email protected]