Bhupesh Baghel out, Sachin Pilot in: Why Congress changed its Punjab troubleshooter

On Saturday, the Congress party replaced Bhupesh Baghel with Sachin Pilot as the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) state in-charge for Punjab, following weeks of infighting within the party. Sources claim that Baghel's standing in the state unit suffered due to allegations that he was "favoring" state Congress President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who is in a feud with former CM Charanjit Singh Channi.

Channi aims to replace Warring as the Punjab Congress president ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections and dismissed Baghel's efforts to mediate a truce. The change was seen as a neutral appointment, with a senior Congress MP stating that Pilot could start work from scratch and listen to all sides. Channi thanked the high command for the reshuffle, while Warring praised Baghel, calling him a "guide and mentor".