Ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections and the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for next year, the Indian National Congress has formed its new leadership team. Congress's National President, Mallikarjun Kharge, has constituted the party's most powerful committee, which comprises 39 members.
Notably, this committee also includes leaders associated with the G-23 faction, which had expressed discontent with the party's functioning.
The Congress Working Committee includes prominent leaders such as Sachin Pilot, Shashi Tharoor, Nasir Hussain, Alka Lamba, Supriya Sule, Praniti Shinde, Pawan Kheda, Ganesh Godiyal, Yashomati Thakur, and more.
Additionally, popular leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, A.K. Antony, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury are part of this committee. In total, there are 39 members.
Some specially invited members to the committee include Pawan Kheda, Supriya Sule, and Alka Lamba. The inclusion of Shashi Tharoor in this list is of particular interest, considering his previous challenge to Kharge for the post of Congress President.
The Gandhi Family's Presence and Key Figures Three members of the Gandhi family, namely Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, are part of this committee. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is also included. Notably, Deepa Das Munshi and Gaurav Gogoi have found a place in this powerful committee.
Exclusion of Prominent Leaders Notably, some prominent leaders have not found a place in this committee, despite expectations. Rajya Sabha member Pramod Tiwari has been left out, as well as special invitees P.L. Punia and Ajay Kumar Lallu. In their stead, Rajeev Shukla has been assigned a key role in Uttar Pradesh.
Chief Ministers Overlooked Chief Ministers have not been included in this committee, which raises questions about the party's strategy for key states. For example, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has not been given a place in the committee, while Sachin Pilot has.
The exclusion of Uttar Pradesh from the committee has raised eyebrows. It is a significant omission, especially considering the crucial role Uttar Pradesh plays in national politics. If Congress doesn't focus on Uttar Pradesh, it could face challenges in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The reshuffled Congress Working Committee aims to strike a balance, including representation from various sections of society, including SCs, STs, OBCs, women, and youth. While some loyalists have been accommodated, others from the Gandhi family's inner circle have been left out.
The restructuring of the Congress leadership committee underscores the party's focus on the forthcoming state assembly elections. The party believes that winning these elections will enhance its prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The party is clearly aiming to challenge the BJP, which currently presents the most significant political hurdle for the Congress.
