Congress leaders hold discussions to strengthen party ahead UP polls

Ahead of next year’s assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress intensified efforts to revamp its state unit, with new office-bearers likely to be appointed at all organisational levels later this month.

AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal held deliberations on Thursday and Friday with state in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, state Congress chief Ajay Rai, Congress Legislature Party leader in UP assembly Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’, and co-in-charge secretaries regarding organisational changes and the appointment of new district presidents. In a post on X, Venugopal said over the past two days, he has held detailed discussions with UP leaders regarding the selection of new district presidents.

He said that in view of the 2027 assembly elections, the Congress is preparing for sweeping changes to further strengthen the opposition in Uttar Pradesh.

“In the run-up to the upcoming Assembly Elections, we are gearing up to revamp our organisation to further consolidate the Opposition’s position in UP. As was seen in 2024, the people of UP have decided to throw out the BJP and the Congress will play a critical role in ensuring their defeat,” he said in his post.

Party sources said the process of making new appointments at all levels in Uttar Pradesh will begin this month; appointments of new district presidents could be announced within the next few days, and changes to the State Congress Committee organisation are also likely.

According to sources, appointments at other levels of the state unit will follow the selection of new district Congress committee presidents. “The effort is to complete appointments for the state organization and district president posts before initiating seat-sharing talks with the Samajwadi Party,” sources said.