New Delhi, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Congress on Saturday appointed former Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot as the party’s General Secretary In-Charge of Punjab, replacing Bhupesh Baghel ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The change comes amid reports of factionalism and internal differences within the Punjab Congress, with the party leadership facing the challenge of keeping various groups united ahead of the polls.
Baghel had recently rejected reports of infighting in the state unit and said Congress leaders were firmly behind Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, who was appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president. He had also indicated that discussions with senior leaders, including former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, would continue.
Baghel had held several meetings with Punjab Congress leaders after being tasked with addressing differences within the state organisation. However, leaders considered close to Channi remained unhappy with developments following the organisational changes.
In July, the Congress high command retained Raja Warring as Punjab Congress president and announced several party committees for the 2027 Assembly elections. Leaders who had sought Channi’s appointment as PCC chief reportedly expressed their displeasure and declined to meet Baghel when he visited Punjab amid efforts to address factional differences.
Despite Baghel’s public dismissal of factionalism, discontent among groups associated with Randhawa and Channi continued to remain a challenge for the party.
Elections to the 117-member Punjab Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held around February 2027.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) announced the latest organisational changes through a circular issued by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal.
“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,” the circular said.
The changes were made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with immediate effect.
The party also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing General Secretary/In-Charges Jitendra Singh, Ramesh Chennithala and Manickam Tagore. Mukul Wasnik will continue as AICC General Secretary.
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