Chandigarh: In a significant organisational reshuffle amid continuing factionalism in its Punjab unit, the Congress on Saturday appointed senior functionary Sachin Pilot as its AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab, replacing former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, who has been assigned charge of Assam.The change was announced a day after Congress high command held a meeting in Delhi to discuss ways to address prolonged factionalism in Punjab, where elections are scheduled for 2027.Baghel was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab in Feb 2025, replacing Devendra Yadav. He was tasked with bringing the state’s senior leaders together and strengthening party organisation. His tenure, however, witnessed growing factionalism, particularly after the high command decided to retain Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as state president on Jul 1.The main differences were between the camp led by Warring and that of former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, which included former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rana Gurjeet Singh, Pargat Singh and others. The Channi camp pressed for Warring’s removal as PPCC head. The divide became more pronounced during Baghel’s visits to Punjab to address the differences.Channi, Randhawa, Rana Gurjeet Singh and other senior functionaries maintained their distance from Baghel during his engagements. Some also questioned his handling of the dispute and accused him of favouring Warring rather than remaining neutral. The Channi-led group later held a separate meeting with Baghel as part of the high command’s efforts to bridge the differences, with Warring kept out.The factional divide was also visible during Congress’s nine-day ‘Har Booth, Congress Mazboot’ campaign, during which Baghel and Warring toured different parts of the state. Supporters of Channi raised slogans in his favour, while protests against Baghel were also reported. Rival groups clashed during a programme in Sangrur. The campaign was also marked by a poster war, with posters depicting Baghel as Michael O’Dwyer surfacing in Muktsar and posters carrying cross marks over photographs of Baghel and Warring appearing in Moga.The change also comes ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to the state. Congress is preparing for a bus yatra, with the visit expected after Sep 15. The proposed itinerary includes Rahul Gandhi starting the yatra from Amritsar after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple. Party leaders are working on the route and programme, with the visit also expected to bring senior Punjab Congress leaders together on a common platform.Warring congratulated Pilot on his appointment, saying, “His energy and dynamism will for sure add to the vigour of the party ahead of crucial Assembly elections just a few months away.” He also thanked Baghel for guiding and mentoring Congress workers in the state.Randhawa also congratulated Pilot, saying his “leadership, experience, and strong connection with the people” would give new strength and direction to the Congress organisation in Punjab.
