Congress Replaces Bhupesh Baghel With Sachin Pilot as Punjab In-Charge Amid Internal Discord

India’s Congress party has replaced Bhupesh Baghel with Sachin Pilot as its general secretary in charge of Punjab, making a major change to the organization ahead of the state’s 2027 assembly election.

Party president Mallikarjun Kharge also appointed Randeep Surjewala as Gujarat in-charge, while three general secretaries received new states and three others were dropped. Three additional state in-charges were moved elsewhere. A senior Congress leader described the changes as one of the party’s biggest senior-level reshuffles.

Baghel, a former chief minister of Chhattisgarh, will now handle Assam. He had taken charge of Punjab in February 2025, but his removal came amid a strained relationship with former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi. Channi had been pressing for the replacement of Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and had boycotted almost all meetings chaired by Baghel in recent months.

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A warm welcome to Shri Sachin Pilot Ji on his appointment as General Secretary In-charge of Punjab Congress. Heartfelt thanks to the Congress Party High Command for this important decision.

The dispute had contributed to an impasse as the party prepared for the election. Baghel’s report to the party leadership last month recommended keeping Punjab’s leadership unchanged. He had been scheduled to travel to Chandigarh for further meetings.

Channi welcomed Pilot’s appointment on X and called it an important decision. Warring thanked Baghel for his guidance and described him as a mentor to Punjab Congress workers while congratulating Pilot. Surjewala’s move to Gujarat was described by insiders as a reward, while he will retain additional responsibility for Karnataka. The Karnataka reshuffle comes three months after DK Shivakumar became chief minister, replacing Siddaramaiah.

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Shri Bhupesh Baghel Ji has been a guide and mentor for Punjab Congress and all Congress workers in the state. His guidance has been instrumental in strengthening the party at the grassroots level.