The Congress on Saturday (September 5, 2026) named Sachin Pilot its new general secretary in-charge of Punjab, a state heading to the polls early next year. Bhupesh Baghel, who held the post until now, has been moved to Assam in the same capacity. The changes, part of the party's latest organisational reshuffle, take effect immediately.
Key facts
- Sachin Pilot takes over as AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab.
- Bhupesh Baghel has been shifted to Assam in the same role.
- Randeep Singh Surjewala is the new Gujarat in-charge but will also retain Karnataka.
- Punjab votes early next year; Gujarat's Assembly elections are due later next year.
- The appointments are effective immediately.
A reshuffle timed for election season
The timing is hard to miss. Punjab goes to polls early next year, while Assembly elections in Gujarat will be held later next year — and the party clearly wants its commanders in place well before the bugle sounds. Along with Pilot's appointment, the Congress named Randeep Singh Surjewala as general secretary in-charge of Gujarat. Surjewala will, however, continue to steer Karnataka, a state that recently saw a smooth transition of power.
New in-charges across the map
The shake-up runs well beyond the two headline states. Sukhdeo Bhagat has been appointed as Chhattisgarh in-charge, Dr. Sirivella Prasad as Maharashtra in-charge and P V Mohan as Andhra Pradesh in-charge. Mukul Wasnik, meanwhile, will continue as general secretary, AICC.
| Leader | New assignment |
|---|---|
| Sachin Pilot | General secretary in-charge, Punjab |
| Bhupesh Baghel | General secretary in-charge, Assam |
| Randeep Singh Surjewala | General secretary in-charge, Gujarat (retains Karnataka) |
| Sukhdeo Bhagat | Chhattisgarh in-charge |
| Dr. Sirivella Prasad | Maharashtra in-charge |
| P V Mohan | Andhra Pradesh in-charge |
What the party said
AICC general secretary, organisation, K.C. Venugopal, said in a statement that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has reassigned and appointed party functionaries as general secretaries and in-charges for different states with immediate effect. The party also paused to thank those stepping aside.
"The party appreciates the contributions of the following outgoing General Secretary/In-charges -- Jitendra Singh, Ramesh Chennithala and Manickam Tagore," Mr. Venugopal said.
For Pilot, Punjab is now the assignment that matters. For Baghel, a fresh battlefield awaits in Assam. And for the Congress, Saturday's message is unmistakable: the election clock is ticking, and it wants its generals on the ground.
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