Sachin Pilot named Punjab Congress in-charge, Baghel removed:Major change ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit; high command yields to Channi camp

Congress high command has appointed Sachin Pilot as the new in-charge of the Punjab Congress, replacing Bhupesh Baghel. Pilot’s appointment comes ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state. Baghel has been shifted to Assam as the party’s in-charge. Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and his camp had been openly opposing Baghel. The Channi camp was already unhappy after Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was reappointed as Punjab Congress president. According to Channi camp leaders, despite being the state in-charge, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Baghel failed to convey the ground realities in Punjab to the Congress high command. Channi and his camp had argued that if Congress wanted to perform well in the Assembly elections, Warring and Baghel should be removed and a strong leader given charge of the state unit. The high command eventually gave in to the Channi camp’s demands. After Baghel, Amarinder Singh’s position is also under threat. Punjab is scheduled to hold Assembly elections in 2027. Letter appointing Sachin Pilot as Punjab Congress in-charge… Why was Pilot appointed as the new in-charge… To end internal conflicts and factionalism: The Punjab Congress has long been struggling with factionalism and differences among its leaders. The Congress high command believes Sachin Pilot can play the role of a troubleshooter and unite the organisation. Having experienced political crises and factionalism in Rajasthan himself, Pilot is seen as a suitable choice to improve coordination among Punjab leaders. To strengthen the organisation and connect with young voters: Pilot is seen as an energetic, grassroots leader with strong appeal among young people. The Congress high command wants to revive the party organisation in Punjab and hopes to use Pilot’s organisational experience, which he demonstrated by helping Congress win the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly elections. Channi camp had demanded Baghel’s removal at Delhi meeting On September 3, a meeting was held in Delhi between Rahul Gandhi’s team and Punjab Congress leaders, including in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Pratap Singh Bajwa. According to sources, factionalism within the Punjab Congress was discussed at the meeting. The team subsequently submitted a report on the factionalism to Rahul Gandhi. The Channi camp had been consistently opposing Bhupesh Baghel, and “Bhupesh Baghel Go Back” slogans were raised during rallies in Punjab. The Channi camp had demanded that Baghel be replaced. Another organisational meeting was held in Delhi on September 4, which was attended by Channi camp leader Rana Gurjit Singh. He also met Congress organisation general secretary K.C. Venugopal. Later, Rana Gurjit met Sachin Pilot. Rana Gurjit said, “I did discuss Punjab during my meeting with Sachin Pilot yesterday, but I did not know that he was going to be appointed as the in-charge. I told Pilot that the people of Punjab like him.” ‘Har Booth, Congress Mazboot’ campaign saw protests The Punjab Congress’s ‘Har Booth, Congress Mazboot’ campaign was held from July 31 to August 8. During the campaign, the Charanjit Singh Channi camp strongly opposed Bhupesh Baghel and state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. July 31, 2026, Fatehgarh Sahib: Differences became visible from the first day of the campaign. Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and several prominent leaders from his camp stayed away from the programme. August 1, Sangrur and Patiala: A meeting in Sangrur attended by Bhupesh Baghel saw protests by Channi camp workers. The situation reportedly reached a point where workers pushed and jostled each other. Slogans supporting Channi and opposing Raja Warring were raised in front of Baghel. At an organisational meeting in Patiala the same day, Channi camp workers also protested and demanded that the party project Channi as its chief ministerial candidate. August 2-5, Muktsar, Bathinda and Barnala: Protests continued during visits to districts in the Malwa region. In Muktsar Sahib, Raja Warring’s home district, “Bhupesh Baghel Go Back” posters were put up even before Baghel’s arrival, and protests were reported during meetings. Channi supporters also held parallel shows of strength in Barnala and Bathinda. August 6, Ludhiana: The factionalism was most intense at an organisational meeting in Ludhiana. Channi camp workers wore white T-shirts carrying the message “Baghel Go Back” to protest. Workers reportedly clashed inside and outside the venue, prompting the deployment of a large police contingent. Sachin Pilot has served as Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot has served as Rajasthan Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister. He was born on September 7, 1977. His late father, Rajesh Pilot, was a prominent Congress leader and Union minister, while his mother is Rama Pilot. Pilot won the 2004 Lok Sabha election from Dausa at the age of 26, becoming one of the youngest MPs in the country at the time. In the Manmohan Singh-led UPA-II government, he served as Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs with independent charge. After Congress suffered a major defeat in Rajasthan in 2013, Pilot was appointed state Congress president. He worked extensively at the grassroots level and helped the party win the 2018 Assembly elections. After Congress formed the government in Rajasthan in 2018, Pilot became Deputy Chief Minister. However, he was later removed from the post following political differences with then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. ​