Cong changes plan, no multiple state charge for 1 leader
A general secretary or any functionary in the Congress will no longer hold the charge of multiple states, according to a new strategy adopted by the party to adapt to changing times.
Instead, the functionary will be given the responsibility of just one state, with a strict directive to focus on reviving the party in that area. Making some basic changes in its organisational restructuring process, the party has shunned the decades-old practice of giving its leaders the job of handling multiple states.
The new plan has been devised following the feedback received by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi that a general secretary or any other office bearer is unable to concentrate on one state in view of manifold responsibilities. As a result, the Congress has been losing elections in state after state and its rank and cadre are shrinking due to the exodus to other political parties.
Before its worst-ever electoral drubbing in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in which it managed to get 44 seats, the Congress was in power in 13 states and now holds just six. In the 2014 polls, the party failed to open an account in 13 states.
The other changes include preparing a team for the future by appointing young leaders as secretaries and handing over to them the responsibility of assisting the seniors in managing the party affairs in states. At the same time, the old guards will continue to play an important role. While a big state will have four-five secretaries to assist a general secretary or in charge, at least two young leaders will manage a small state.
The changes are reflected in the phased organisational revamp being undertaken in the party over the past few months. The appointment of Lok Sabha MP from Kerala KC Venugopal and former Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Pande as general secretaries, besides the elevation of Asha Kumari, A Chella Kumar, PL Punia and RPN Singh as in charge is a step in that direction.
As a balancing act between the old guard and Gen Next, veteran leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kamal Nath and Ashok Gehlot were brought back as general secretaries. In another change, Congress president Sonia Gandhi constituted a communication strategy group to spruce up the party’s media department.