Preparations Underway for Major Changes in Congress; Will Priyanka Gandhi Be Assigned a Key Responsibility
New Delhi. Preparations are underway for a large-scale organizational reshuffle within the Congress, the country's principal opposition party. The party leadership is set to implement these changes with an eye on the assembly elections scheduled to take place in five states in early 2027. Concurrently, under a new strategic framework, changes to several key responsibilities at the national level are also anticipated.
Strategy for Organizational Reshuffle Ahead of 2027 Elections
Likely Changes to State Presidents and In-charges in Several States
According to party sources, a new role for Priyanka Gandhi may also be defined as a central element of this entire strategy. It is believed that her role in organizational matters and electoral management could be further strengthened, although the final decision regarding this will be taken by the party's High Command.
There is also talk within the party that, following the change of power in Karnataka, the process of restructuring the organizational framework has already begun. This initiative is now set to be extended to the national level. In line with this process, the party in-charges and state presidents in several states may be replaced.
Recently, following D.K. Shivakumar's elevation to the post of Chief Minister in Karnataka, the responsibility of the State Congress President was entrusted to B.K. Hariprasad. This change is being viewed as the beginning of new equations within the party.
Following this, preparations are now underway for leadership changes in more than half a dozen states. According to party sources, a crucial meeting regarding this matter was held recently, attended by Congress President Kharge, former President Rahul Gandhi, and General Secretary (Organization) K.C. Venugopal. During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening the organizational structure and entrusting responsibilities to new faces, with an eye on the upcoming elections.
Focus on Election-Bound States
The Congress party's primary focus lies on those states where Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in early 2027. These include Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa, and Manipur. Additionally, elections are also slated for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh towards the end of next year.
In line with the party's strategy, plans are being formulated to comprehensively revamp and strengthen the leadership in these states, with the aim of revitalizing the organization at the grassroots level. Congress faces a direct electoral contest against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in most of these states, while in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) continues to pose a significant challenge.
Prospects for Change in Punjab
In Punjab, the party is considering a change in the State President, keeping in mind the need to maintain both caste and organizational balance within the Punjab Congress. Currently, both the State President and the Leader of the Legislative Party belong to the same community, a situation that has intensified internal discussions regarding the need for balance.
According to sources, the name of Vijay Inder Singla is currently considered the frontrunner for the post of the new State President. He already holds responsibilities within the party's national organizational structure and is regarded as a prominent Hindu face of the party. However, to simultaneously bolster Dalit leadership within the state, the name of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is also under active consideration.
Strategic Shifts in Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is attempting to challenge the incumbent BJP government through an electoral alliance with the Samajwadi Party. Consequently, a pressing need has been felt to reinforce the caste-based balance within the party's organizational structure in the state. At present, the State President and other key office-bearers belong to the 'forward castes' (upper castes); this demographic imbalance has heightened the likelihood of leadership changes aimed at effectively consolidating the Dalit vote bank.
Dalit leader may be entrusted with a key responsibility in UP
Party sources suggest that, in Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit leader may be entrusted with a key responsibility—either as the State President or as the State In-charge—in order to strengthen the party's social equations and broaden its electoral appeal. However, since a similar experiment in Bihar in the past failed to yield the expected success, the party is currently working on a strategy of taking cautious and well-considered steps this time around.
Preparing for New Organizational Experiments
The Congress leadership believes that to achieve success in the upcoming elections, the organizational structure must be revitalized and strengthened in accordance with regional requirements. Consequently, plans are being formulated to bring new faces to the forefront in several states.
According to experts, this reshuffle constitutes a pivotal element of the Congress's electoral strategy, aimed at consolidating its foothold at the local level and striking a socio-caste balance.
All in all, the Congress is moving towards significant organizational changes in the coming months. If the proposed changes are implemented, they will not only result in shifts in leadership across several states but could also lead to a redistribution of responsibilities at the national level. The potential new role earmarked for Priyanka is considered the most critical component of this entire strategy—a development that remains firmly under the political spotlight.