Who will succeed Venugopal as Congress GSO?

Congress leadership deliberates on successor to K.C. Venugopal, with loyalty as a key factor.

New Delhi: As K.C. Venugopal, the current Organisation General Secretary of the Congress party, is set to complete his five-year tenure next month in January, several names are being discussed within Congress political circles as potential successors.

According to a senior Congress leader, there are a few names that are being considered by the top leadership, such as former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and current Madhya Pradesh General Secretary In-charge Kunwar Jitender Singh, among others.

The two key posts of General Secretary Organisation and Treasurer of the AICC, according to senior political observers, are considered very sensitive within the organisation. The most important factor for these positions is loyalty, something the Gandhis value immensely. They prefer individuals who are completely loyal and can be trusted to align with their vision.

Another senior Congress leader holding a high office in the party said, “There is another leader, Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is close to the Gandhis, and could have been considered for the role, but he doesn’t want to, due to potential health issues. There seems less possibility of Bhupesh Baghel as he is close to Priyanka Gandhi, if he becomes the Organisation General Secretary, the party might no longer be fully under Rahul Gandhi’s control, which neither Sonia Gandhi nor Rahul Gandhi would want.”

Although Gehlot is considered a strong contender, his detractors in the party think that his ascension would be difficult, as he has rebelled against the Gandhis a few years back when the party was going through its weakest phase. However, others highlight the positive aspect of his candidacy, pointing out his close ties with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

A political observer said, “Nobody can write him off till Mallikarjun Kharge is president, as he is still in the good books of Gandhis. He could still make a comeback.”

However, other experts believe that politics does not necessarily favour personal alliances when it comes to power. “Each leader seems to be acting independently now. The Gandhis will think several times before taking a decision in Gehlot’s favour,” they added.

Another view is that if Gehlot takes charge of the organisation, he might make things difficult for Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan again. However, there are leaders who think that if he is given the command of the party, it will be clearly conveyed to him that he should not encroach on Pilot’s territory.

There are also a few leaders who claim that Priyanka Gandhi could be appointed as the GSO, however, that would subsequently put an end to Rahul Gandhi’s influence over the functioning of the organisation.

A political observer said, “She cannot be made the GSO. If Priyanka is given that role, she will make appointments on her own in all the state units, and all the general secretaries and in-charges will have to listen to her first, possibly before Rahul. All the leaders will prioritise being in good books of Priyanka rather than Rahul. Her appointment as the GSO will mark a tectonic shift in the dynamics of Congress politics.”

However, according to Congress insiders, there is shortage of leaders, in Rahul Gandhi’s view, who can be considered for the position. Party leaders believe that someone who isn’t currently in the spotlight could emerge as a candidate, as Rahul Gandhi might be working on his own to identify the best-suited individual for the role.