Congress prepares for 2027 Himachal assembly polls, focuses on strengthening grassroots outreach

Shimla, Jul 6 (PTI) Congress on Monday said it has begun preparations for next year's assembly elections, announcing a series of organisational measures, including assigning ministers and office-bearers district-wise responsibilities, and taking strict action against indiscipline. Addressing reporters, Congress in-charge for Himachal Pradesh, Rajani Patil, said that all ministers and district, block presidents would be assigned one district each to strengthen the party at the grassroots level and improve coordination among workers. Patil said that a “connect centre” has been established at the state headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan, to monitor organisational activities and party programs at the district and block levels. "Congress ministers in the state will be given charge of one district each so that they can make the organisation's functioning effective by directly communicating with the party workers in those districts,” she said while addressing reporters. She warned that the work of all district and block officials would be reviewed every three months and those failing to carry out their organisational responsibilities would be “relieved of their positions". The Congress leader said that a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) will be held in Dharamsala soon, and All India Congress Committee Organisation General Secretary K C Benugopal will be the keynote speaker. Speaking about the Ram temple donation theft row, Patil said that the Congress party will effectively communicate to the people about the alleged “theft and looting” of Ram Temple donations, saying that “plunder in the name of faith cannot be tolerated”. She also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue, saying, “ Small fish are being caught while the major perpetrators are not even being touched in the name of investigation.” Talking about the alleged paper leak controversy, she said, “The future of the country's youth is being tampered with, which is extremely unfortunate. Whether it's the NEET or the CBSE paper leak, papers are being leaked everywhere.” “A major movement will also be launched in the state against this,” she added. State Congress President Vinay Kumar asserted that there was good coordination between the party and the government, adding that preparations are already afoot for next year’s elections. Kumar further said that Congress has no shortage of issues to take on the saffron party, and added that it will “reach out to the public and expose the BJP”. He said that strict action is being taken against indiscipline within the party. Youth Congress President Chhatar Singh and NSUI President Abhinandan Thakur also demanded restoration of the student union elections in the state. PTI BPL KSI KSI