AICC reshuffle before budget session ends

NEW DELHI: It is finally time for organisational changes in Congress. Before elections in Maharashtra, the party is planning a round of fresh appointments at AICC ��� with several party functionaries now holding ministerial portfolios ��� and a AICC session in Mumbai by September to enthuse its cadre ahead of the assembly poll.

A senior Congress leader on Wednesday said the party had decided to relieve several AICC general secretaries who now hold ministerial responsibilities of their party posts. The Congress leader indicated the exercise will happen soon. The new office-bearers are likely to be appointed before the budget session ends on August 7.

AICC is planning to drop ministers holding party positions like Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad (in-charge of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Orissa), Mr Prithviraj Chavan (Haryana and J&K), Mr Mukul Wasnik (Rajasthan and Delhi) and Mr V Narayansamy (Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura). Law minister Veerappa Moily too holds party charge (Andhra Pradesh and Assam).

However, senior ministers such as Mr A K Antony (who looks after Maharashtra) and Mr Pranab Mukherjee are likely to be exceptions to this rule.

The strategy for the next round of assembly polls could be on the agenda when AICC meets in Mumbai. With the Congress having put in a good performance in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections despite the 26/11 attacks and leadership crisis in the state, the AICC meet will attempt to keep the winning spirit in place as Congress goes into elections. The party would be hoping that the announcements directed at Maharashtra in the budget and ministerial berths for former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Mr Wasnik would help it beat anti-incumbency.