Saddled between massive poll debacle and a fresh election ahead, the Jharkhand Congress is set to give a relook to its campaign committee and also the Pradesh Congress Committee.
The committee would lead the party into Assembly polls and would also project a face under whose leadership the entire election campaign would encircle.
The party’s top leadership, comprising primarily senior leaders who have been sulking and dissatisfied with PCC chief Sukhdeo Bhagat due to various reasons, sat together with Jharkhand in-charge BK Hariprasad on Thursday. Hariprasad who is here on the third occasion within a week time listened to their grievances and tried to tie the loose ends for the party.
“We discussed about reforms within the party and its organisation that is required immediately. We have seen repercussion of a badly formed campaign committee before the lok Sabha elections in which youths were not given any role. Those who did not deserve were given key positions like sweets. The result speaks about it. Now a new team is required in the State,” said Furkan Ansari.
Ansari, along with former PCC president Pradeep Balmuchu, ex-MP Subodh Kant Sahay and candidate for Chatra lok Sabha Dheeraj Sahu along with few others are into the opposite camps of incumbent PCC chief Bhagat. The leaders have been feeling sidelined under his tenure and presented their disbelief over the present leadership. The meeting was aimed to iron-out the differences when polls are just four months away.
“It is correct that the present PCC president can be questioned for his vision and leadership. But we also have to weigh whether any change in guard at this juncture is going to serve any purpose and would it be a sane decision to takeIJ We discussed how to improve the present team itself and strengthen it sufficiently so that our performance improves,” added Ansari.
In any case dissolution of PCC is on the cards for the Congress without changing the leadership. Committees at district levels would see reshuffles. Role of every Minister from Congress quota also got defined and they have been given specific tasks ahead of polls.
The meeting also discussed the possibilities to go alone in the polls. Opinion on this issue remained largely divided. However, the party refrained from making anything public but indications are that based on the response of the partner JMM on seat sharing any stand would be taken. Also a month time has been given to senior Congress leaders for examining at division levels whether the party is in a position contest alone. Only after getting the feedback the decision on coalition would be taken.
“We have to keep into our mind the preparedness and strength of the party vis-à-vis the elections. Firstly our own house should be in order. Had it been the case then why such a poor show in the parliamentary elections,” said a senior leader.
Nevertheless, Bhagat is said to be in the favour of contesting on all the 81 Assembly seats alone which, he argued, would provide the much needed fillip and aspiration among partymen at ground level. “The party needed that kind of jerk to awaken. Seat sharing tactics often despairs party workers,” said a leaders close to Bhagat.