New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday appointed Rajasthan Revenue Minister Harish Chaudhary as the Punjab in-charge of the party, replacing Harish Rawat.

Rawat had made a request to be relieved from the post to focus all his attention and energy on Uttarakhand. He will, however, continue to be a member of the Congress Working Committee.

Chaudhary had been appointed by the Congress high command as an observer in Punjab during the recent leadership change.

Both Punjab and Uttarakhand go to polls early next year.

In a note shared on Twitter on October 20, Rawat had said he was split between his duties towards his 'karmbhoomi' Punjab, and his 'janmabhoomi' Uttarakhand, and had requested to be relieved of the charge of Punjab.

It also comes amid continuing trouble in Punjab for the Congress, with former chief minister Amarinder Singh announcing that he will be floating his own political party, and ally with the BJP for the state polls if farmers' protests are resolved.

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