Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Congress Reshuffles Fuel Rivalries Ahead Of Key State Polls
India’s political parties are making changes before important state elections.
Sachin Pilot is taking charge of Congress preparations in Punjab.
He will have to work with Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who previously supported Pilot’s rival in Rajasthan.
Congress leaders also want to see whether Akash Anand might help them win more Dalit support in Uttar Pradesh.
Anand recently lost his position in Mayawati’s party.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is trying to shape his party’s election strategy through a controversial mosque demolition in Saharanpur.
Inside Congress, junior secretaries are receiving more important jobs.
Mukul Wasnik has kept his senior post, while party leaders may give him or Priyanka Gandhi Vadra new organisational responsibilities.
Sachin Pilot will oversee Congress affairs in poll-bound Punjab, where he must work with Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa despite their past Rajasthan-related tensions.
Congress leaders are considering approaching Akash Anand after his break with the Bahujan Samaj Party to help attract Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh.
Yogi Adityanath’s demolition of a century-old mosque in Saharanpur is described as an effort to polarise Uttar Pradesh ahead of the election.
Congress secretaries are gaining greater responsibilities, with several receiving independent charge of states and Rahul Gandhi interviewing new candidates.
Mukul Wasnik has retained his general secretary position without portfolio, amid speculation about a future organisational or election-management role.
- Who
- Congress leaders, Sachin Pilot, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Akash Anand, Yogi Adityanath, Mukul Wasnik, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are central figures.
- What
- The article examines party appointments, leadership rivalries and electoral strategies involving Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party.
- When
- The developments are taking place ahead of the next Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with some Congress appointments announced recently.
- Where
- The political developments concern Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Congress assignments in several Indian states; the mosque demolition occurred in Saharanpur.
- Why
- The parties are positioning leaders, seeking voter support and deciding how much authority regional figures should have before upcoming elections.
Central Party Strategy
Regional Leadership And Ambition
Pilot and Randhawa
Central Party Strategy
Sachin Pilot could set aside past disagreements with Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and focus on Congress’s Punjab campaign.
Regional Leadership And Ambition
Randhawa is positioning himself as a possible Punjab chief minister, raising questions about whether the former rivalry could affect their relationship.
Akash Anand’s political future
Central Party Strategy
Congress leaders, reportedly with support from the Samajwadi Party, see Akash Anand as a forceful speaker who could attract Dalit youth and voters.
Regional Leadership And Ambition
Akash Anand may not join Congress and could pursue other political options if his break with the Bahujan Samaj Party becomes final.
Yogi Adityanath’s authority
Central Party Strategy
Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have sought to limit Yogi Adityanath’s influence over candidate selection in Uttar Pradesh.
Regional Leadership And Ambition
The Saharanpur mosque demolition could strengthen Yogi’s standing if the BJP believes it benefits the party electorally, making it harder to restrict his role in ticket distribution.
- Punjab Congress charge
- Sachin Pilot has been given responsibility for poll-bound Punjab.
- Pilot-Randhawa relationship
- Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa previously supported Ashok Gehlot while serving as Rajasthan in-charge, creating tensions with Sachin Pilot.
- Akash Anand outreach
- Some Congress leaders want to approach Akash Anand to help consolidate Dalit support in Uttar Pradesh.
- Saharanpur demolition
- Yogi Adityanath’s government demolished a century-old mosque in Saharanpur, according to the article.
- Congress secretaries
- Srivella Prasad, P.V. Mohan, Sukhdeo Bhagat, Sanjay Dutt and Prakash Joshi have received charge of states after serving as secretaries.
- Mukul Wasnik
- Mukul Wasnik remains a Congress general secretary without portfolio after losing responsibility for Gujarat.
- Possible Congress department
- The article says an election-management department may be established, potentially with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leading it and Mukul Wasnik serving as deputy or convener.