New Delhi: In a major organisational overhaul aimed at strengthening its state units ahead of crucial electoral battles, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has announced a slew of new appointments and reassignments. According to an official statement issued by AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal on Saturday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the restructuring with immediate effect.
The most significant change sees senior leader Sachin Pilot appointed as the General Secretary in-charge of Punjab, replacing former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The change of guard in Punjab comes at a critical juncture, as the state prepares for Assembly elections in 2027. Baghel, who recently toured Punjab to assess poll preparedness, reportedly struggled to contain the growing factionalism within the state unit. Pilot will now face the uphill task of uniting the divided regional factions and leading the party’s campaign against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.
Meanwhile, Bhupesh Baghel has been reassigned as the General Secretary in-charge of Assam. In another key move, Randeep Singh Surjewala has been handed the organisational reins of Gujarat. Surjewala will take on this new role while continuing to hold his existing responsibility as the in-charge of Karnataka.
The reshuffle also witnessed the elevation of several other leaders to key positions. Sukhdeo Bhagat, a Lok Sabha MP from Jharkhand, has been appointed as the in-charge of Chhattisgarh, stepping into the role vacated by Pilot. Sirivella Prasad, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, has been made the in-charge of Maharashtra. Additionally, P.V. Mohan, an MLC from Karnataka, has been assigned the responsibility of Andhra Pradesh.
The party leadership has also relieved several functionaries from their previous organisational duties. Jitendra Singh, who previously managed Assam, has been relieved of all responsibilities following the party’s defeat in the state elections earlier this year. Ramesh Chennithala and Manickam Tagore have also stepped down from their respective AICC roles. Chennithala has recently assumed duties as a cabinet minister in the Kerala government, while Tagore has taken over as the Tamil Nadu state party chief. The AICC officially placed on record its appreciation for their past contributions.
Interestingly, senior leader Mukul Wasnik, who was previously handling Gujarat, has been retained as a General Secretary without being assigned a specific state. Party insiders suggest that this sweeping reshuffle reflects a strategic realignment of regional leadership, setting the stage for the upcoming state assembly elections.