Old guards retained, fresh blood infused: Congress top panel rejig ahead of polls

After months of anticipation and delays, the Congress party has finally revealed the lineup of its Congress Working Committee (CWC). This announcement comes nearly half a year after the Raipur session, during which Mallikarjun Kharge’s presidency was formally ratified. The previous CWC underwent dissolution following the assumption of the new president’s role, evolving into a temporary steering committee.

The roster includes a total of 85 members, categorised as follows:

• CWC Members: 39
• Permanent Invitees: 18
• CWC Incharges: 14
• CWC Special Invitees: 9
• Ex-Officio Members: 4

Notably, leaders of the G-23 group, comprised of discontented Congress veterans, have either been integrated into the CWC or incorporated into its expanded iteration.

Anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik have successfully retained their positions within the CWC, while Manish Tewari, Veerappa Moily, and Shashi Tharoor are set to become members of both the CWC and its extended version.

KEY FIGURES IN CWC LINEUP

Sachin Pilot made his entry into the CWC just ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly election, scheduled to be held before the year ends. His inclusion sends out the message of ‘Sachin zaroori hai’. This strategic move by the party is also seen as an attempt to mitigate the public exchange of criticisms between Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot, which had caused unwelcome embarrassment to the party.

Another key leader who found a place in the CWC is Shashi Tharoor. The Kerala Congress MP had fought in the party presidential election last year and had secured 1,072 votes out of 7,897 votes. Nearly a year after he lost the Congress presidential poll to Mallikarjun Kharge, Shashi Tharoor has now earned a consolation prize within the CWC. This step reflects the party’s drive to present a unified “Team Kharge” face ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Naseer Hussain, a Congress Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, has made a significant leap by joining the elite group of 39 CWC members. Hussain’s efforts in both the Congress president’s office and his coordination with the Opposition INDIA bloc parties have been instrumental in challenging the government in the Rajya Sabha. His inclusion enhances the CWC’s diversity, as a prominent Muslim representative from the southern state.

BK Hariprasad, a veteran Karnataka leader and one of the longest-serving CWC members, has returned as a permanent invitee after missing out on a ministerial role in the Karnataka cabinet. With a decades-long association with the party and responsibilities covering 19 states, Hariprasad remains a stalwart contributor.

The fresh names entering the coveted CWC roster include Gourav Gogoi, Alka Lamba, Supriya Shrinate, and Pawan Khera. Their impactful critiques of the Modi government across various platforms have earned them recognition within the party’s decision-making body. Recently, Gaurav Gogoi, who is the deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, had earned praise for his speech in Parliament on the no-confidence motion.

Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, despite his controversial Pulwama remarks during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, has retained his position within the CWC. The party’s decision is likely driven by the upcoming Madhya Pradesh elections, urging careful handling of senior leaders.

Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Mukul Wasnik, Kumari Selja, Meira Kumar, and Deepak Babariaa have also been inducted into the CWC. Charanajit Channi’s inclusion reinforces the CWC’s Dalit representation.

THOSE WHO COULDN’T MAKE THE CUT

Prithviraj Chavan, former Maharashtra Chief Minister, has not secured a place in the CWC despite lobbying for inclusion in the party’s top panel. Similarly, Pramod Tiwari, the deputy leader of the Rajya Sabha, remains absent from the list.

Rajasthan Congress leader Raghuveer Meena is the only leader who was part of the CWC but did not find a place in the new team.

The revamped Congress Working Committee, the party’s paramount decision-making body, underscores a balanced approach by retaining experienced figures while also embracing fresh perspectives ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in several states and next year’s Lok Sabha polls. This lineup emphasizes representation of Dalits, women, and minorities.

It’s noteworthy that out of the entire core CWC, only Sachin Pilot, Kamaleshwar Patel, and Gaurav Gogoi are under 50 years old.