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In the run up to the general elections, to get the Congress party unit ‘battle ready’, an organisational revamp is on the cards. Rahul Gandhi’s possible anointment as Prime Ministerial candidate next week is likely to hasten the process. While it is a given that younger faces are likely to be drafted into party ie organizational work, this time around the party is likely to stipulate that those in organizational roles ( such as party general secretaries) would not fight elections in order to ensure that organizational work does not suffer. Strong senior leaders like Digvijay Singh on the other hand, look set to contest the parliamentary elections.
Some like Jayanthi Natarajan, former environment minister have already been drafted into party work but as Rahul Gandhi takes greater charge of the organization younger faces like Jitender Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot are likely to be bestowed with greater responsibilities within the party.
However a senior Congress leader had a word of caution for such an exercise; “The greatest asset of the Congress is its 129 year old legacy, it is this which sets it apart from other newer parties. That cannot be frittered away at any cost in all this revamp.”
Ever since the Assembly poll debacle, a party rejig had become imperative but now as the party goes into poll mode with its strategizing session on January 17 the party general secretaries in charge of states are likely to be replaced.
With the party structure in dire need of being strengthened, Rahul Gandhi according to sources is keen on having complete focus on organizational work and therefore those in organization roles will not be encouraged to fight elections.
However party general secretaries and state incharges like CP Joshi, BK Hariprasad and even Digvijay Singh on the other hand could contest parliamentary elections.
“The party is well aware that its chips are down and so every leader who has clout or sizeable mass following in his / her state will be expected to fight elections and get the party a seat,” said a party leader.
For the Congress which needs to fight a resurgent BJP and two term anti-incumbency, all hands are needed on the (party) deck in this crucial elections.
