The Congress on Thursday set the ball rolling for organisational elections with the finalisation of the poll schedule for elections from district committee to party president by September 30, even as speculation continued on “if and when” vice-president Rahul Gandhi would take charge.
The schedule was announced at a time when Mr. Gandhi’s whereabouts is a subject of conjecture and jibes with ‘missing person’ posters appearing in his parliamentary constituency, Amethi, urging him to return home.
For the first time, the Congress has decided to hold the organisational elections — mandated by the Election Commission of India — in two phases; even for party president. In the case of the party president, the counting would be taken up after the conclusion of the second phase of polling, senior leaders said.
States clubbed in the first phase include Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, all the Union Territories barring Delhi and Puducherry, and the entire Northeast except Assam. For this phase, the process will begin on May 25 to conclude on July 31.
The election process in the second phase states will begin on May 30 and conclude on September 30.
The membership drive, as per the schedule, will now close on May 15. Meanwhile, in the midst of the membership drive, the Congress has taken it online; making it possible for people to become members via an INC mobile app, the party website and Facebook page. Online membership was considered by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at its January meeting, but several veterans wanted to ensure that it is subject to “robust scrutiny” to ensure it does not become an exercise to inflate numbers.
As for the much-talked-about special session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to amend the party constitution during the recess period of the Budget Session of Parliament, senior leaders maintained that a date is yet to be finalised.
