The Congress party has announced its reconstituted Working Committee, with Rajasthan leader Sachin Pilot being one of the prominent names on the list. Sachin Pilot has been appointed as one of the 39 general members of the party’s highest decision-making body.
Notably, his rival and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has yet to find a place in the new CWC lineup released by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday. This is seen as a significant political development given the discontent between the two leaders.
In addition to Sachin Pilot, the other general members include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, interim president Sonia Gandhi, former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi, and Lok Sabha opposition leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury among others.
The CWC will now have 39 members, up from 25 earlier. This follows recent amendments to the Congress constitution. There are also 32 permanent invitees and 13 special invitees on the influential committee.
Sachin Pilot’s Role Crucial Ahead of Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2023
The appointment of Sachin Pilot to the Working Committee highlights the Congress top brass’ intent to assign him a more prominent role, especially in poll-bound Rajasthan.
Pilot has a strong ground connection and support base in the state where he earlier served as deputy CM and Rajasthan Congress chief. With CM Ashok Gehlot not finding a place in the CWC, Pilot’s new position signals the possibility of him securing greater authority in the Rajasthan leadership.
The Congress seeks to put up a united front in the state after past rifts between the Gehlot and Pilot camps. The party requires a coordinated strategy with influential state leaders working together ahead of the crucial Rajasthan Assembly elections 2023.
Shashi Tharoor And Kanhaiya Kumar Also Included
Apart from Pilot, Shashi Tharoor has also been appointed as a member of the new Working Committee. Tharoor had challenged Mallikarjun Kharge in the Congress presidential polls held last year.
His inclusion indicates Tharoor is likely to play a key role as the Congress mounts its campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The CWC list also features former JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been given the position of an in-charge. This shows the party’s intent to utilize Kumar’s influence among the youth demographic during the upcoming General Elections in 2024.
A number of the 23 Congress leaders who had written dissenting letters last year also find a place in the revamped CWC. This includes Anand Sharma, Mukul Wasnik, and Manish Tewari as general members.
Digvijaya Singh and Veerappa Moily have been accommodated as permanent invitees. Adjusting these leaders indicates the party’s bid to restore unity and prevent further divisions.
Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and Pratibha Singh also feature among the new Working Committee members.
No Election for Congress Working Committee
Earlier this year, the Congress steering committee unanimously authorized Kharge to nominate all members of the Working Committee. This was a departure from the past practice of electing members.
The decision was later endorsed during the party’s 85th plenary session held in Raipur last month. Amendments in the Congress constitution were also made to include former PMs and party presidents as permanent CWC members.
This paved the way for an automatic berth for Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi on the influential panel.
While most leaders supported the nominated CWC, some like Digvijaya Singh, Ajay Maken, and Abhishek Singhvi had initially advocated elections. But the demand did not gain adequate traction.
Sachin Pilot Expresses Gratitude on Social Media
Shortly after the release of the CWC list, Sachin Pilot posted on the social media platform ‘X’ expressing gratitude to the party leadership for appointing him.
Pilot conveyed thanks to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi for nominating him as a CWC member. He added the party will collectively work to strengthen its ideology and values.
The conciliatory tone adopted by Pilot indicates his willingness to cooperate with the central leadership in his new role. This comes at a crucial juncture with Rajasthan polls on the horizon.
The CWC has the responsibility to address challenges, build consensus and consolidate the party’s position. Appointing a blend of youth leaders and experienced veterans indicates the party’s bid to strike the right balance.
All eyes will be on the revamped CWC as the Congress mounts its campaign for the nine state elections this year and the Lok Sabha polls next year. The aim will be to put up a spirited fight against the BJP and regain lost ground.