Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Congress Reshuffle Names Sachin Pilot Punjab In-Charge, Moves Baghel Assam
The Congress party changed several leaders who manage its state organizations.
Sachin Pilot will now manage the party’s work in Punjab.
He replaces Bhupesh Baghel, who was moved to Assam.
Randeep Singh Surjewala will manage Gujarat and continue managing Karnataka.
Other leaders were assigned to Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
The changes took effect immediately after the announcement on Saturday, September 5.
Punjab is expected to vote early next year, while Gujarat is expected to vote later next year.
Reports said the Punjab unit has disagreements that Pilot may need to address.
Sachin Pilot was appointed Congress general secretary in-charge of poll-bound Punjab, replacing Bhupesh Baghel.
Bhupesh Baghel was reassigned as general secretary in-charge of Assam with immediate effect.
Randeep Singh Surjewala was appointed Gujarat in-charge while retaining responsibility for Karnataka.
Sukhdeo Bhagat, Dr Sirivella Prasad and P.V. Mohan were appointed in-charge of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.
The reshuffle came before Punjab and Gujarat elections amid reported factionalism in the Punjab Congress unit.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, including Sachin Pilot, Bhupesh Baghel, Randeep Singh Surjewala and other party functionaries.
- What
- The party reassigned and appointed several AICC general secretaries and state in-charges.
- When
- Saturday, September 5; the appointments took effect immediately.
- Where
- The changes affected Punjab, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The reshuffle occurred ahead of elections in Punjab and Gujarat; reports also linked the Punjab change to factionalism in the state unit, while the official statement did not specify a reason.
Reported Political Interpretation
Official Party Position
Reason for the Punjab change
Reported Political Interpretation
Reports attributed Bhupesh Baghel’s replacement to factionalism and disagreements in the Punjab Congress unit, saying Sachin Pilot would need to help resolve the dispute before the election.
Official Party Position
The official statement announced the reassignment of party functionaries but did not give a specific reason for replacing Bhupesh Baghel.
Possible further changes
Reported Political Interpretation
Party sources said additional changes in the AICC organisation and Punjab unit could follow to strengthen the party before the elections.
Official Party Position
The formal announcement listed the appointments and stated that they took effect immediately, without confirming further changes.
- New Punjab in-charge
- Sachin Pilot
- Former Punjab in-charge
- Bhupesh Baghel, reassigned to Assam
- Gujarat in-charge
- Randeep Singh Surjewala
- Additional responsibility
- Randeep Singh Surjewala will continue as Karnataka in-charge
- Other appointments
- Sukhdeo Bhagat for Chhattisgarh, Dr Sirivella Prasad for Maharashtra and P.V. Mohan for Andhra Pradesh
- Election timing
- Punjab polls are expected early next year; Gujarat Assembly elections are expected later next year
- Outgoing functionaries
- Jitendra Singh, Ramesh Chennithala and Manickam Tagore were relieved of the listed organisational responsibilities
Sources
Bhupesh Baghel removed as AICC Punjab in-charge, Sachin Pilot brought in
Sachin Pilot is new Cong Punjab in-charge, Bhupesh Baghel moved to Assam in reshuffle
Baghel replaced as Punjab Cong in-charge amid rift in state unit
Congress Reshuffle: Sachin Pilot Named Punjab In-Charge to Stem Feud Ahead of Polls
