The Congress party is leaving no stone unturned ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, deploying senior leaders as central observers to oversee preparations and strengthen organisational presence. The move comes after recent electoral setbacks in Bihar, Maharashtra, and Haryana, which the party attributed partly to administrative advantages leveraged by the NDA.
In Assam, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar have been appointed as AICC observers, alongside Bandhu Tirkey. They will work under Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, head of the candidate screening committee, to counter the NDA government led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. Congress aims to improve on its previous 29-seat performance in the state assembly and enhance its Lok Sabha prospects.
In Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front seeks to dislodge the ruling LDF. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sachin Pilot will supervise preparations, supported by K J George and young campaigners like Imran Pratapgarhi and Kanhaiya Kumar. Internal surveys suggest the UDF holds an edge in a majority of seats, but a coordinated campaign will be critical to securing victory.
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In the southern states, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the party is focused on alliance coordination with the DMK. Veterans Mukul Wasnik and Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin, will act as observers to manage alliance dynamics, bring order among vocal leaders, and strengthen the Congress organisational machinery ahead of polling.
In West Bengal, where the main contest is between the TMC and BJP, Congress has deployed Sudip Roy Burman, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, and Prakash Joshi to boost the party’s visibility and campaign effectiveness. The central observers are expected to provide strategic guidance and help consolidate votes in key constituencies.
Party officials emphasise that the deployment of central observers reflects Congress’s commitment to reviving its organisational strength and ensuring disciplined, results-oriented campaigns. The strategy combines experienced leadership with on-ground coordination to challenge the NDA’s dominance in these critical states.
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