Sonia Gandhi Holds Key 10 Janpath Meeting With Congress Old Guard, Gehlot

A meeting of senior Congress leaders at party veteran Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath has sparked fresh speculation over the possible return of the party's experienced leaders to a more prominent organisational role. Although the gathering was officially described as a meeting of Congress-linked trusts, the presence of former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alongside several senior leaders has fuelled discussions about the party's evolving strategy ahead of key electoral battles.

Among those present at the meeting were Gehlot, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid and Pawan Bansal, senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik and veteran party functionary Janardan Dwivedi. A brief video of the gathering circulated on social media soon after the meeting, prompting speculation that the Congress leadership could be looking to bring its seasoned leaders back into the national decision-making process. While the party has not commented on the political significance of the meeting, observers believe the gathering reflects the importance being placed on experience as the Congress prepares for future elections.

The development comes at a time when the Congress is reassessing its organisational strategy after a series of electoral setbacks in several states. Senior leaders such as Ashok Gehlot have continued to remain influential within the party despite not holding key national organisational positions in recent years. Political analysts believe that the Congress may increasingly rely on experienced leaders to provide organisational guidance, strengthen election management and mentor younger party members as it attempts to improve its electoral performance.

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Meanwhile, in Rajasthan, the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led government has ended the prolonged administrative sidelining of Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officer Pinky Meena by assigning her a new posting. As part of a major reshuffle involving 178 RAS officers, Meena has been appointed Assistant Director (Public Services) in the Administrative Reforms and Coordination Department in Sawai Madhopur. The transfer marks her return to an active administrative role after spending several years away from mainstream postings.

Pinky Meena had attracted national attention in 2021 when, as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Bandikui, she was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) over allegations of accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe linked to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway project. The case drew widespread media attention, particularly after her wedding took place while she was out on interim bail. Her latest posting has once again brought the case into focus, although the legal proceedings related to the allegations continue independently. The twin developments—renewed visibility of Congress veterans at the national level and the reinstatement of a controversial bureaucrat in Rajasthan—have generated considerable political discussion in the state.

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