The Indian National Congress has reassigned its General Secretary and in-charge for Punjab affairs, appointing Sachin Pilot in place of Bhupesh Baghel, according to an official party release. The move comes ahead of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s anticipated visit to the state.
Congress sources indicate that Gandhi is expected to tour Punjab in the coming days as part of the party’s preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, and to help address the ongoing factional differences within the state unit between Punjab Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.
As part of the same reshuffle, Baghel has been given charge of Assam, while Randeep Singh Surjewala has been assigned Gujarat, along with additional charge of Karnataka. The party also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing General Secretaries/in-charges Jitendra Singh, Ramesh Chennithala and Manickam Tagore. Mukul Wasnik will continue to serve as General Secretary, AICC.
Further details regarding the schedule of Rahul Gandhi’s Punjab visit are awaited.