News
October 31, 2025
The internal rewiring of a grand old party: Congress focuses on DCCs for revival
As part of its newly launched leadership selection programme, Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, the Congress is banking on empowered district-level leadership. After extensive screening and consultations, the 139-year-old party will appoint District Congress Committee presidents through a merit-based process across States. Sandeep Phukan explores the process and the criticism
**Congress Bets on District Leaders for a Fresh Start**
In a bid to revitalize its organizational structure and reconnect with voters at the grassroots level, the Indian National Congress is placing renewed emphasis on empowered district-level leadership. The party, which is 139 years old, is embarking on a comprehensive overhaul through its recently launched "Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan," or Organization Creation Campaign, with the appointment of District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents playing a central role.
The initiative signals a significant shift in the party's strategy, aiming to move away from centralized decision-making and foster a more decentralized and responsive approach. Instead of relying solely on traditional selection methods, the Congress is implementing a merit-based process to identify and appoint DCC presidents across various states.
This involves a rigorous screening process, which includes evaluating candidates based on their experience, leadership qualities, and connection with local communities. The party is also conducting extensive consultations with senior leaders, local functionaries, and even grassroots workers to ensure that the selected individuals are well-suited to lead the party at the district level.
The logic behind this move is simple: strong and effective DCC presidents can play a crucial role in mobilizing party workers, understanding local issues, and effectively communicating the party's message to the electorate. By empowering district leaders, the Congress hopes to strengthen its organizational base and improve its electoral performance.
However, the initiative has not been without its critics. Some within the party have expressed concerns about the selection process, questioning its transparency and potential for bias. Others worry that the focus on district-level leadership may come at the expense of a strong central leadership.
Despite the criticisms, the Congress remains optimistic about the potential of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan to revitalize the party. The success of this initiative will depend on the party's ability to identify and empower capable and dedicated DCC presidents who can effectively lead the party at the grassroots level. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this internal rewiring can pave the way for a Congress revival.
In a bid to revitalize its organizational structure and reconnect with voters at the grassroots level, the Indian National Congress is placing renewed emphasis on empowered district-level leadership. The party, which is 139 years old, is embarking on a comprehensive overhaul through its recently launched "Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan," or Organization Creation Campaign, with the appointment of District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents playing a central role.
The initiative signals a significant shift in the party's strategy, aiming to move away from centralized decision-making and foster a more decentralized and responsive approach. Instead of relying solely on traditional selection methods, the Congress is implementing a merit-based process to identify and appoint DCC presidents across various states.
This involves a rigorous screening process, which includes evaluating candidates based on their experience, leadership qualities, and connection with local communities. The party is also conducting extensive consultations with senior leaders, local functionaries, and even grassroots workers to ensure that the selected individuals are well-suited to lead the party at the district level.
The logic behind this move is simple: strong and effective DCC presidents can play a crucial role in mobilizing party workers, understanding local issues, and effectively communicating the party's message to the electorate. By empowering district leaders, the Congress hopes to strengthen its organizational base and improve its electoral performance.
However, the initiative has not been without its critics. Some within the party have expressed concerns about the selection process, questioning its transparency and potential for bias. Others worry that the focus on district-level leadership may come at the expense of a strong central leadership.
Despite the criticisms, the Congress remains optimistic about the potential of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan to revitalize the party. The success of this initiative will depend on the party's ability to identify and empower capable and dedicated DCC presidents who can effectively lead the party at the grassroots level. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this internal rewiring can pave the way for a Congress revival.
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