With the Assembly election cycle largely behind it and the leadership transition in Karnataka nearing completion, the Congress has begun work on a major organisational shake-up that could see changes in several
state units as well as at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) level, according to a report by The Indian Express.
The report said the party leadership is considering replacing state presidents in as many as six states, while also reviewing the performance of several AICC in-charges as part of a restructuring exercise ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Sources were quoted as saying that the proposed changes were discussed during a recent meeting between Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The exercise comes at a time when the party is attempting to strengthen its organisation in key states after completing leadership-related decisions in Karnataka, where Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is set to take over as Chief Minister.
PUNJAB UNIT MAY SEE MAJOR CHANGE
Punjab is expected to be among the first states to witness organisational changes.
According to the report, Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring is likely to be replaced ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled in February 2027.
A section of the party leadership is reportedly backing Jalandhar MP and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for the post.
The move comes amid growing factionalism within the Punjab Congress following the party’s disappointing performance in recent urban local body elections.
A strategy meeting attended by Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and senior Punjab leaders witnessed sharp exchanges over the party’s electoral performance, it was reported.
The local body poll results, in which the Congress finished a distant second to the Aam Aadmi Party, also reportedly intensified internal differences and renewed demands for organisational changes.
The leadership’s concern over factionalism is not new.
Earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi publicly warned Punjab leaders that unity and teamwork were non-negotiable and that those unwilling to function collectively could be sidelined.
KERALA SUCCESSION RACE UNDERWAY
In Kerala, the Congress will have to appoint a new state president after Sunny Joseph joined the VD Satheesan government as a minister.
The report mentioned that lobbying for the post has already begun, with caste, community and factional considerations playing a significant role.
Among the names being discussed are Lok Sabha MPs Kodikunnil Suresh, Benny Behanan and Anto Antony, along with UDF convener Adoor Prakash and senior leader Joseph Vazhackan.
Supporters of Kodikunnil Suresh have argued that the party should appoint a Dalit leader to the position, while others believe a Christian leader would be better placed to consolidate support from a community that has traditionally backed the Congress and is now being actively courted by the BJP.
TAMIL NADU CHIEF LIKELY TO BE REPLACED
The report said Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai is also likely to be removed.
Sources were quoted as saying that the party high command is dissatisfied with his style of functioning and is considering alternatives for the post.
However, no successor has been finalised yet, the report mentioned.
KARNATAKA DECISION LINKED TO CABINET RESHUFFLE
In Karnataka, the appointment of a new Congress president is tied to the impending Cabinet reshuffle following Shivakumar’s elevation as Chief Minister.
The report suggested that Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi is emerging as the frontrunner for the post, although AICC Haryana in-charge BK Hariprasad is also being considered.
Simultaneous reports with The Times of India and The Economic Times have also indicated that the Congress leadership is working on Cabinet formation and organisational appointments in Karnataka as part of the transition process.
Party president Mallikarjun Kharge recently acknowledged that the search for a suitable successor to Shivakumar as Karnataka Congress chief was underway.
Sources cited by The Indian Express said a decision on the next Karnataka Congress president could be taken before Shivakumar’s swearing-in ceremony on June 3.
RAJASTHAN, UTTAR PRADESH UNDER REVIEW
The Congress leadership is also evaluating whether leadership changes are required in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra has been in charge since July 2020, while Ajay Rai has headed the Uttar Pradesh unit since August 2023.
Sources told The Indian Express that discussions are underway on whether both states require fresh leadership ahead of future electoral contests.
SHARMILA MAY MOVE TO RAJYA SABHA
In Andhra Pradesh, Congress president YS Sharmila could also see a change in role.
According to the report, the party leadership is considering nominating her to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
The move would fulfil an assurance reportedly given to her before she joined the Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
GOA REAPPOINTMENT TRIGGERS DISCONTENT
The report further noted that the reappointment of Girish Chodankar as Goa Congress president has generated unease within the state unit.
Chodankar had stepped down from the post after the party’s defeat in the 2022 Assembly elections.
His return ahead of the 2027 Goa polls has reportedly not gone down well with some sections of the state leadership.
AICC RESHUFFLE ALSO ON THE TABLE
Apart from state-level changes, the Congress leadership is also reviewing organisational responsibilities at the national level.
The report quoted sources as saying that the party is unhappy with the performance of several AICC state in-charges and is considering a reshuffle of responsibilities.
The planned overhaul, if implemented, would mark one of the most significant organisational exercises undertaken by the Congress since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
