Cong likely to overhaul leadership this week

If the resignation of the Congress’ Kerala chief VM Sudheeran — who is considered close to Rahul Gandhi — is any indication, the much-awaited organisational reshuffle in the party could take place this week.

Congress sources said the party Vice-President, who suffered a huge setback after the Assembly elections, has been telling leaders who met him that the reshuffle will not be delayed. “To all Congress workers across India: We stand resolute and committed to our values and our belief in an India united in strength and purpose,” said Rahul Gandhi on Twitter.

Elections to the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assemblies later this year, Karnataka in 2018 will be a tough task for the Congress. The party has already initiated dialogues with other parties on forming a credible alliance against the Narendra Modi-led BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Party insiders feel the Bihar model could be replicated elsewhere in the country and the BJP juggernaut could be stopped if the Opposition stands united.

“Congress recognises its historical and futuristic responsibility in UP and Uttarakhand and we stand committed to rebuilding the party organisation and win the fight for people’s hearts and minds,” was the official reaction fromthe party after the results were announced.

Talks of a “dominant” leader have already begun within the Congress.

“The victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have re-confirmed that Narendra Modi is the most dominant political leader,” former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in a tweet. “Punjab also has delivered a clear verdict in favour of the Amarinder Singh-led Congress,” he added.

Chidambaram’s tweet is being interpreted as the need for a strong leader for the Opposition to oppose the BJP.

However, the Left parties, who allied with the Congress in West Bengal, feel that only an alternative policy narrative can help the Opposition to form a credible alliance.

“The BJP’s opponents in Uttar Pradesh, be it the SP-Congress alliance or the BSP, failed to provide a counter narrative on demonetisation to the people. Though the Left parties did it in whatever little way they can, we could not take other parties along with this counter narrative. We need the support of other parties in the fight against the policies of the Narendra Modi government. We are working on it,” CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury told BusinessLine.s