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Baghel was appointed Congress’ Punjab in-charge in March last year, tasked with strengthening the party organisation ahead of 2027.
Baghel was appointed Congress’ Punjab in-charge in March last year, tasked with strengthening the party organisation ahead of 2027. (Photo: PTI File)
In a bid to contain factionalism in its Punjab unit ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, the Congress has removed Bhupesh Baghel as the party’s state in-charge and appointed Sachin Pilot to the post, as part of a major organisational reshuffle.
The move comes amid months of growing tension between rival factions led by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi. The latest round of infighting has once again raised questions over the party’s ability to present a united front in the state.
Factionalism has long plagued the Punjab Congress. Internal differences contributed to the downfall of former chief minister Amarinder Singh ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, after which the party suffered a major electoral defeat. The infighting continued even after that loss, with multiple camps emerging within the state unit. Despite the divisions, Congress performed better in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, winning seven of Punjab’s 13 seats.
Why Was Bhupesh Baghel Removed?
Baghel was appointed Congress’ Punjab in-charge in March last year, tasked with strengthening the party organisation ahead of 2027. However, his efforts to bridge the gap between the rival factions failed to deliver a lasting truce.
The latest dispute erupted on July 1, when the Congress high command decided to retain Warring as Punjab Congress president while appointing Channi as chairman of the party’s campaign committee. The decision angered a section of state leaders aligned with Channi, who opposed Warring’s continuation as state unit chief and demanded his removal. Channi’s supporters have also been pushing for him to be projected as the party’s chief ministerial face for 2027.
The divisions became particularly visible during the Congress’ “Har Booth, Congress Mazboot” campaign, held from July 31 to August 8. At several party meetings, Channi’s supporters raised slogans of “Channi lao, Punjab bachao” (bring Channi, save Punjab), openly backing the former chief minister. Verbal clashes were also reported between Channi and Warring supporters at various party programmes, underscoring the widening divide within the state unit.
Baghel himself faced opposition during his visits to Punjab, with “Go back Baghel” posters appearing in Muktsar — visits that coincided with the escalating rivalry between the two camps, further highlighting the challenges confronting the party’s state leadership.
Baghel had maintained that once the Congress high command took a decision on state leadership, there was no question of reversing it. However, according to a report in The Indian Express, party sources claimed his position within the Punjab unit was weakened by allegations that he was “favouring” Warring. A leader close to Channi told the newspaper that Baghel’s alleged “partisan role” had contributed to his removal, calling the development “a big relief for us.”
Baghel’s exit, therefore, comes against the backdrop of a growing perception within sections of the Punjab Congress that the organisational leadership had failed to resolve the rivalry between the two camps.
Sachin Pilot’s Challenges Ahead
With Sachin Pilot now in charge, the task before the Congress is to prevent the renewed factionalism from undermining its 2024 momentum before the 2027 Assembly polls. His appointment is being seen as an attempt by the high command to reset the state organisation and bring the rival camps closer together.
Whether Pilot can succeed where Baghel could not — and persuade the Channi and Warring factions to work together — could prove crucial to Congress’ prospects in Punjab in 2027.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Bhupesh Baghel was removed as Punjab Congress in-charge due to his failure to resolve factionalism between Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Charanjit Singh Channi’s camps, and allegations of favoring Warring. His efforts did not achieve a lasting truce, leading to his replacement by Sachin Pilot.
Ask News18About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
September 07, 2026, 19:23 IST
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