New Delhi, India: With the general elections a year away, the Congress leadership convened a crucial meeting in Delhi to discuss the party’s strategy, particularly in West Bengal. The meeting, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and K C Venugopal, saw intense deliberations on the party’s organisational strength and future course of action.
As the political landscape in West Bengal remains volatile, Congress leaders focused on the party’s own prospects, with most provincial representatives advocating for an independent electoral battle rather than aligning with other parties. Despite their strong appeals, the high command refrained from making any definitive commitments and instead urged leaders to concentrate on grassroots mobilisation and strengthening party structures.
Strategic Review and Organisational Challenges
Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have been holding regular meetings with provincial leadership across states to assess the organisational landscape. In Wednesday’s discussions, it was evident that Congress intends to closely monitor states where the party remains weak.
During the meeting, Bengal Congress representatives detailed the organisational hurdles they face, with a particular focus on the party’s challenges in countering both the BJP’s rising Hindutva narrative and the ruling Trinamool Congress’ response to it. Sources revealed that Rahul Gandhi took a keen interest in the unfolding political scenario in Bengal, discussing the fallout of the tragic rape and murder case at RG Kar Hospital, which has fuelled tensions in the state.
Additionally, Bengal leaders voiced concerns about the impact of Sheikh Hasina’s government’s fall in Bangladesh, highlighting how the BJP has intensified its hardline Hindutva approach in response. In turn, the Trinamool Congress has adopted its own tactics to counter this political shift.
Congress’ Position on Alliances
Rahul Gandhi addressed apprehensions about Congress MPs often being seen alongside Trinamool MPs in parliamentary sessions. He clarified that cooperation in Parliament should not be equated with state-level alliances, reiterating that Congress has often suffered setbacks due to regional parties, including Trinamool, in past elections. As a result, he urged the Bengal leadership to prioritise organisational growth over concerns about alliances.
For the past two years, Congress’ focus on Bengal has been limited due to elections in other states. However, the provincial leadership was assured that the central leadership would now engage more actively in Bengal politics. Senior AICC figures are expected to visit the state frequently to oversee the party’s development.
Factional Tensions Surface
The meeting also brought to light internal divisions within the Bengal Congress. While former state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was present, his close associates were conspicuously absent, raising questions about factionalism within the party. On the other hand, current provincial president Subhankar Sarkar attended the meeting along with several key figures, including Amitabh Chakraborty, Santosh Pathak, Suman Roychowdhury, and Pooja Roychowdhury.
As the 2026 elections approach, Congress’ strategy in Bengal remains uncertain. However, the emphasis on strengthening the party’s grassroots presence signals a renewed focus on building independent political momentum rather than relying on alliances. The coming months will determine whether this approach translates into electoral gains or further challenges for the party in the state.
