AICC reshuffle on the cards

NEW DELHI: The Congress leadership will soon make changes in the AICC secretariat and re-shuffle the work distribution at the party headquarters. The move is being worked out with an eye on the need to reposition party pointsmen for the states where assembly polls are due in the next six months.

The leadership is keen that each of the poll-bound state — Punjab, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh — should be placed under central leaders, who are not burdened with other responsibilities.

By this approach, general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi, presently in-charge of AICC media cell, Punjab and Haryana, could be relieved of the election preparations in Punjab where the Congress has to deal with factionalism and an anti-incumbency mood.

Similarly, AICC treasurer Motilal Vora could be divested of the additional charge of Uttaranchal where the Congress will be fighting to retain power.

In addition to deploying “focused pointsmen”, the need is also being felt that leaders well-versed in power politics should man these two election-bound states.

However, opinion is divided on UP in-charge Ashok Gehlot giving up the additional charge of the faction-ridden Delhi PCC where he has been doing an effective balancing act.

Sources said the leadership will revive the tradition of a full-time AICC general secretary in charge of the frontal organisation. It is now looked after by Mr Oscar Fernandes.

According sources, while the leadership has made up its mind on the assignment for Mr Rahul Gandhi as general secretary in-charge of the frontal organisations, he has not yet indicated as and when he would take the plunge.

Still, Congress leaders continue to hope Mr Gandhi to make up his mind by August 9, when Sonia Gandhi plans to launch the party’s campaign in UP.

The leadership is also thinking of full-time in-charges for Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, which continue to be looked after by Union minister Ambika Soni pending fresh appointments.

Sources see bleak future for two general secretaries — Ms Margaret Alva and Mr Mukul Wasnik —, whose mediocre performance has been “forgiven for too long”. Mr Wasnik’s appointment as party spokesman is seen as the consolation prize managed by his ever-indulgent mentors.

While one general secretary’s post has to be kept reserved for Mr Rahul Gandhi, the 10, Janpath loyalist and minister without portfolio, Oscar Fernandes, is seen as the front-runner for the second slot along with Ms Noor Banu of UP.