The Congress has made a major organisational change in Chhattisgarh, appointing senior Jharkhand leader Sukhdev Bhagat as the state's new in-charge in place of Sachin Pilot. The reshuffle has triggered fresh buzz within the corridors of the state Congress unit.
With a new in-charge now in place, the party is expected to see major changes ranging from the booth level right up to the organisational structure. Sukhdev Bhagat is likely to visit Chhattisgarh soon and hold a series of meetings with senior leaders and office-bearers there, so that he can get a first-hand sense of the organisation's ground reality. Within the party, it is also being felt that by handing this responsibility to such an experienced leader, Congress wants to give a fresh direction and fresh energy to its Chhattisgarh unit.
Who is Sukhdev Bhagat?
Sukhdev Bhagat has earlier served as Jharkhand Congress state president and has also been an MLA. He is currently the Member of Parliament from Lohardaga. Before stepping into politics, he was in administrative service, which means he brings practical experience of both administration and organisation. That experience could now prove useful as he takes on responsibility for a large state like Chhattisgarh. It will be interesting to see how successful he is in using this long experience to breathe new life into the Chhattisgarh Congress.
Congress suffered a heavy defeat in 2023
Congress suffered a heavy defeat in the 2023 Chhattisgarh assembly election. Since that defeat, the party has been trying to get back on its feet in the state. With the next elections in mind, Congress has already begun working on its strategy at the grassroots level. Sukhdev Bhagat will now be responsible for reactivating the organisation and increasing direct engagement with party workers, so that Congress can benefit from it in the elections ahead.
A political journey that began in 2005
Sukhdev Bhagat joined Congress in 2005 and contested the election from the Lohardaga seat. He won that election and entered the Jharkhand assembly for the first time. His political journey was not smooth after that, though, as he faced consecutive defeats in the 2009 and 2014 assembly elections. Two back-to-back losses even raised questions about his political career. But a bypoll on the Lohardaga seat in 2015 gave him another chance, and he seized the opportunity, winning the seat again and returning to the assembly.
Joined BJP, then returned to Congress
From 2013 to 2017, Sukhdev Bhagat also served as Jharkhand Congress state president. In 2019, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, but once again faced defeat in the assembly election. He then returned to his old party, Congress, in 2022. Recognising his ability, Congress fielded him from the Lohardaga seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, and he succeeded in winning that contest as well. Congress has also previously made him an observer for several states, which makes clear that the party leadership regards him as a trusted face for organisational work.
