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Rahul, Kharge, Venugopal met to discuss changes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen district-level units, improve accountability, promote young faces
The Indian National Congress is preparing for a comprehensive organisational overhaul and leadership reshuffle across several states as it gears up for a series of crucial Assembly elections and seeks to strengthen its grassroots network. States heading to the polls, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Goa, are expected to see some of the most significant changes. According to party sources, the exercise will involve changes in state leadership, the appointment of new AICC in-charges, and structural reforms designed to decentralise decision-making and improve organisational accountability.
The overhaul is part of a broader strategy to strengthen district-level units, improve accountability, and promote committed young leaders within the organisation. Believing that a stronger grassroots structure is key to electoral revival, the AICC has revised its organisational framework to enhance coordination between block, mandal and district committees. Senior leaders have also been consulting district presidents across states to assess performance and identify inactive office-bearers for possible replacement.
Sources said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Organisation General Secretary K.C. Venugopal to discuss the proposed changes. The exercise is widely being viewed within the party as the final major organisational reshuffle during Kharge’s tenure as Congress president.
Punjab is among the states where significant changes are under consideration. Despite repeated assertions by Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel that no leadership change is planned, discussions within the party suggest otherwise. Party leaders point out that both Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Congress Legislature Party leader Pratap Singh Bajwa belong to the Jat Sikh community.
With the Congress seeking to expand its support base among non-Sikh voters, the leadership is evaluating possible organisational adjustments. Sources indicate that the party is considering appointing a leader from the Hindu community as the next state president. Vijay Inder Singla, the party’s national co-treasurer, has emerged as a strong contender and is regarded by many leaders as the Congress’ prominent Hindu face in Punjab. At the same time, a section of the state leadership is advocating for former Chief Minister and current MP Charanjit Singh Channi, arguing that his elevation could help the party strengthen its appeal among Dalit voters, a key electoral constituency in the state.
The Congress is also contemplating significant changes in Uttar Pradesh, where many leaders feel the current organisational structure lacks adequate social representation. At present, state in-charge Avinash Pandey, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai and Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra all belong to upper-caste communities.
As the party seeks to revive its political fortunes in the state and deepen its outreach among Dalit voters, discussions are underway about appointing a Dalit leader either as the state president or as the party’s in-charge. Sources said senior Congress leader Rajendra Pal Gautam is among those actively seeking the position of Uttar Pradesh Congress president. Party strategists believe that a leadership arrangement reflecting broader social representation could strengthen the Congress’ efforts to regain political relevance in the state.
The organisational shake-up is also expected to extend to several AICC general secretaries and state in-charges. Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala is likely to be relieved of his responsibilities after becoming a minister in the newly formed Kerala government, creating a vacancy in Maharashtra. In Assam, Congress in-charge Jitendra Singh has resigned following the party’s poor performance in the Assembly elections. Sources also suggest that West Bengal in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir could be replaced as part of the wider restructuring exercise.
Further adjustments may be made in Delhi, where party in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin, who is also an MLA from Uttarakhand, could be relieved of his additional responsibilities in view of the upcoming elections in his home state. Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot is expected to be entrusted with charge of a larger and politically more significant state in place of Chhattisgarh. Mukul Wasnik may be reassigned from Gujarat, while Rajni Patil could be relieved of her responsibilities in Himachal Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh in-charge Manickam Tagore is also expected to be given a new assignment.
Party leaders maintain that the exercise is not merely about replacing individuals but about rebuilding the organisation from the ground up. The focus remains on strengthening district units, improving coordination between various organisational layers and ensuring greater accountability among office-bearers.
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