Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge gave a strong message to his party colleagues on Sunday first meeting of steering committeeWhen the Congress Working Committee (CWC) ceases to exist, the highest decision-making body of the party. A new CWC is to be elected at a plenary session in February 2023, but Mr Kharge has been quick to make some key appointments in the meantime to keep the organizational work on track. He has asked colleagues to spend time in the states with which they have been assigned. now there are new faces In charge of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the only two states where the party is in power. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has made it clear that leave alone leaving office for Sachin Pilot, he will in no way accommodate his younger colleague Mr Kharge and has an uphill task for the new in-charge. The new general secretary has been given the charge of Chhattisgarh. A new member has been added to the Steering Committee, contrary to the party’s earlier position that only members of the outgoing CWC can be in it. Shashi Tharoor, who got 10% of the vote in the election of the party president, was not included in the steering committee by the party citing the reason, which no longer seems valid.
The party has its own task to go into the plenary session in February and then prepare for three crucial assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in 2023. The Congress is in a direct contest with the BJP in these states, and had won all three in 2018, though it lost Madhya Pradesh after its MLAs defected to the BJP. party leader Rahul Gandhi’s India Jodo tour Has attracted impressive crowds, but the party by its own admission is not expecting any electoral fight. Its electoral fortunes will largely depend on how quickly and effectively it builds up the organization from the ground up to battle it out. In all the three states, the Congress has had the advantage of strong and influential leaders; Its challenge lies in keeping these leaders united in spirit and purpose. At present, the Congress seems to be in a position to give a tough fight to the BJP, but it needs to put its house in order. Central leaders in charge of states play an important role in the selection of candidates and the management of various interest groups. The party will have to tread carefully if it is to ensure changes that can be beneficial, and avoid disruptions that could ruin its prospects.