Following electoral defeats in Haryana and Maharashtra, the Congress Working Committee convened a critical meeting where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi called for action against leaders deemed responsible. Kharge also stressed the need to strengthen the party’s grassroots organization at district, tehsil, and block levels. This organizational overhaul has now begun in Uttar Pradesh, with the Congress preparing to revamp its structure in the state.
Dissolution of UP Cong Committee
To facilitate this restructuring, Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal, with Kharge’s approval, dissolved the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. According to an official press release, the State Committee, along with district, city, and block committees, has been disbanded with immediate effect. The statement underscores the party's determination to rejuvenate its organizational framework in Uttar Pradesh.
A Look Back at Cong's Performance in UP
Historically, Uttar Pradesh has been a challenging battleground for Congress. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the party secured only two seats, its traditional strongholds—Amethi and Rae Bareli. The situation worsened in 2019 when Rahul Gandhi lost Amethi, marking a major setback. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress and its ally Samajwadi Party made notable gains. Congress secured 17 seats, reclaiming its foothold with six sitting MPs. This marked a significant improvement compared to previous elections.
Nationally, Congress emerged stronger in 2024, winning 99 seats, while the INDIA alliance collectively secured 237 seats. Uttar Pradesh played a crucial role in this success, indicating a resurgence in the party's influence in the state.
Ajay Rai’s Role and Future Prospects
A significant factor in Congress' improved performance in Uttar Pradesh was the determined leadership of state Congress President Ajay Rai. Rai contested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, giving a surprisingly tough fight. He led for the first four rounds of counting before ultimately losing by a margin of 1.5 lakh votes. Despite the defeat, Rai's spirited campaign was seen as a setback for the BJP and a morale booster for Congress.
Now, as the Congress disbands the Uttar Pradesh State Committee, questions loom over Rai's future role. His performance has earned him accolades, but with upcoming state assembly elections, it remains uncertain whether he will retain his position or if Congress will introduce fresh leadership to continue its organizational reforms.
Eyes on the Future: Assembly Elections in Focus
With the dissolution of its existing committees, Congress is setting its sights on the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections-2025. The party’s renewed focus on strengthening its grassroots presence is seen as a critical strategy for maintaining its recent momentum. Whether Ajay Rai remains at the helm or a new leader emerges, Congress appears committed to reinvigorating its organizational machinery in Uttar Pradesh.
In the coming months, the party's success in mobilizing support at the grassroots level and capitalizing on recent gains will be pivotal in determining its prospects in country’s most politically significant state.
PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY
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