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Congress Replaces Baghel With Pilot Amid Punjab Unit Infighting
The Congress party changed the person responsible for managing its Punjab organization.
Sachin Pilot will now do the job instead of Bhupesh Baghel.
Baghel was moved to handle the party’s work in Assam.
Punjab Congress leaders have disagreed about whether Amarinder Singh Raja Warring should remain state president.
Some leaders, including Charanjit Singh Channi, wanted Warring replaced.
Baghel tried to bring the groups together but was criticized by some of them.
Pilot’s main task will be to help the party work as one team.
Punjab is expected to hold elections for its 117-seat Assembly around early 2027.
The Congress appointed Sachin Pilot as its Punjab in-charge, replacing Bhupesh Baghel.
Baghel was reassigned to oversee Assam as part of a broader reshuffle.
The change follows disputes over Amarinder Singh Raja Warring’s continuation as Punjab Congress president.
Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had opposed Warring’s leadership.
Pilot must unite the state unit before Punjab’s scheduled early 2027 Assembly elections.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, Sachin Pilot, Bhupesh Baghel and Punjab Congress leaders including Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
- What
- The Congress appointed Sachin Pilot as Punjab general secretary in-charge and reassigned Bhupesh Baghel to Assam.
- Where
- The organizational change concerns the Congress unit in Punjab, with Baghel receiving responsibility for Assam.
- When
- The announcement was made on Saturday; one report described it as Saturday night. Punjab Assembly elections are scheduled around early 2027.
- Why
- The change came amid disputes and factionalism over Amarinder Singh Raja Warring’s continuation as Punjab Congress president and concerns about unity before the elections.
Leadership-change advocates
Warring supporters
Punjab Congress presidency
Leadership-change advocates
Charanjit Singh Channi-led senior leaders, along with Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and others, sought the removal of Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.
Warring supporters
The Congress high command decided that Raja Warring should continue as Punjab Congress president, and Bhupesh Baghel reportedly supported retaining him.
Assessment of internal divisions
Leadership-change advocates
Opponents of Warring described the state unit as divided and continued demanding a leadership change; some posters reportedly appeared against Baghel.
Warring supporters
Baghel denied factionalism and said Punjab Congress leaders stood firmly behind Warring, while the party continued discussions with senior leaders.
Effect of Pilot’s appointment
Leadership-change advocates
The change may address concerns among leaders opposed to Warring, though it remains unclear whether Channi will drop his demand for a new state president.
Warring supporters
Warring and other leaders publicly welcomed Pilot’s appointment, suggesting that the new arrangement could support organizational cooperation without immediately changing the presidency.
Key facts
- New Punjab in-charge
- Sachin Pilot
- Outgoing Punjab in-charge
- Bhupesh Baghel
- Baghel’s new assignment
- Assam
- Punjab Congress president
- Amarinder Singh Raja Warring
- Assembly size
- 117 members
- Expected election timing
- Around February 2027
- Announcing authority
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, through an AICC reshuffle circular
Quotes
Charanjit Singh Channi
Former Punjab chief minister and senior Congress leader
“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.”
thehansindia.com
“The party appreciates the contributions of the following outgoing General Secretary/In-Charges: Jitendra Singh, Ramesh Chennithala and Manickam Tagore,”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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