<p id="thickbox_headline">In an abrupt move, the Congress on Saturday appointed Rajesh Lilothia as the new Chairman of AICC Scheduled Caste (SC) Department.</p>.<p>He replaces Maharashtra Energy Minister and senior party leader Nitin Raut, according to a statement issued by AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal.</p>.<p>The Congress also appointed K Raju as the Coordinator to oversee the activities of AICC SC/OBC/Minority departments and All India Adivasi Congress with immediate effect.</p>.<p>The AICC has not specified any reason behind the removal of Raut from the powerful post.</p>.<p>However, Raut sought to allay speculation over the reshuffle and claimed that the decision was expected six months ago.</p>.<p>"The party president has taken this (decision) today," Raut said in a statement here.</p>.<p>"I was unable to travel across the country and give justice to the post as I'm a minister in Maharashtra. That's why I requested the party president to free me from the post of president, SC department of AICC," Raut added.</p>.<p>Besides, the minister pointed out that the party has a policy of 'one person one post'.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>
<p id="thickbox_headline">In an abrupt move, the Congress on Saturday appointed Rajesh Lilothia as the new Chairman of AICC Scheduled Caste (SC) Department.</p>.<p>He replaces Maharashtra Energy Minister and senior party leader Nitin Raut, according to a statement issued by AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal.</p>.<p>The Congress also appointed K Raju as the Coordinator to oversee the activities of AICC SC/OBC/Minority departments and All India Adivasi Congress with immediate effect.</p>.<p>The AICC has not specified any reason behind the removal of Raut from the powerful post.</p>.<p>However, Raut sought to allay speculation over the reshuffle and claimed that the decision was expected six months ago.</p>.<p>"The party president has taken this (decision) today," Raut said in a statement here.</p>.<p>"I was unable to travel across the country and give justice to the post as I'm a minister in Maharashtra. That's why I requested the party president to free me from the post of president, SC department of AICC," Raut added.</p>.<p>Besides, the minister pointed out that the party has a policy of 'one person one post'.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>