Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Congress Replaces Baghel With Pilot Amid Punjab Infighting
The Congress party changed the leader who manages its work in Punjab.
Sachin Pilot will now do this job instead of Bhupesh Baghel.
Baghel has been given responsibility for the party in Assam.
Punjab Congress leaders have been arguing about whether Amarinder Singh Raja Warring should remain the state party president.
Charanjit Singh Channi and other leaders wanted a change, while Baghel supported keeping the existing arrangement, according to party sources.
Some leaders therefore viewed Baghel as favoring one group and not bringing everyone together.
Congress leaders from different camps welcomed Pilot’s appointment, although one leader called the move a routine reshuffle.
Pilot’s main job will be to unite the party before the expected 2027 Punjab election and its contest with the Aam Aadmi Party.
The Congress appointed Sachin Pilot as AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab, replacing Bhupesh Baghel.
Baghel was reassigned to oversee the Congress organisation in Assam as part of a wider reshuffle.
The change followed prolonged factional tensions over Amarinder Singh Raja Warring’s continuation as Punjab Congress president.
Leaders including Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had sought changes in the state leadership.
Pilot must unite the rival camps and prepare the party for Punjab’s 117-seat Assembly election, expected around February 2027.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, Sachin Pilot, Bhupesh Baghel, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
- What
- The Congress replaced Baghel with Pilot as its AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab and reassigned Baghel to Assam.
- When
- The appointment was announced on Saturday, September 5, 2026, after weeks of internal tensions and a meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Punjab leaders.
- Where
- The organisational change concerns the Congress unit in Punjab; Baghel’s new assignment is Assam.
- Why
- The move came amid continuing factional disputes and allegations that Baghel favored Warring, although a Congress leader described it as a routine pre-election reshuffle.
Leaders Seeking Change
Warring Supporters and Reshuffle Defenders
Whether Warring should remain state president
Leaders Seeking Change
Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and allied leaders opposed Warring’s continuation and sought a change in state leadership.
Warring Supporters and Reshuffle Defenders
The Congress high command decided in July that Warring would continue, while Baghel supported retaining the existing arrangement before the elections.
Assessment of Baghel’s performance
Leaders Seeking Change
Leaders close to Channi said Baghel was partisan, failed to understand the concerns of party workers and did not remain neutral between the rival camps.
Warring Supporters and Reshuffle Defenders
Baghel denied factionalism and said Punjab leaders stood behind Warring; another senior Congress leader said the reassignment was simply part of a routine reshuffle.
Meaning of Pilot’s appointment
Leaders Seeking Change
Supporters of a leadership change welcomed Pilot as a neutral figure who could listen to all sides and potentially help replace Warring.
Warring Supporters and Reshuffle Defenders
Warring praised Baghel as a guide and mentor and welcomed Pilot, suggesting the new appointment could improve cooperation without guaranteeing an immediate change in the state presidency.
- New Punjab in-charge
- Sachin Pilot
- Outgoing Punjab in-charge
- Bhupesh Baghel
- Baghel’s new assignment
- AICC general secretary in-charge of Assam
- Punjab Congress president
- Amarinder Singh Raja Warring
- Main leadership dispute
- Whether Warring should continue as Punjab Congress president
- Assembly size
- 117 members
- Expected election timing
- Around February 2027
- Announcement authority
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, through a circular issued by AICC general secretary (organisation) K. C. Venugopal
Sources
Punjab infighting: Congress names Sachin Pilot to replace Bhupesh Baghel as State In-charge
Baghel Out, Pilot In: Why Congress Is Betting On Its ‘Troubleshooter’ To Fix Punjab Before 2027 Polls
Bhupesh Baghel out, Sachin Pilot in: Why Congress changed its Punjab troubleshooter
