The Indian National Congress has carried out a significant reshuffle of its AICC Secretaries attached to the General Secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, relieving six incumbent office-bearers and installing a fresh set of leaders — a move that political observers say reflects the party's ongoing internal realignment between rival camps in Rajasthan Congress.

Key Personnel Changes

Dheeraj Gurjar, a Rajasthan leader widely identified with the Sachin Pilot camp, has been relieved after nearly seven years of continuous association with the Uttar Pradesh unit. Replacing him is Jagdish Chandra Jangid, a former Congress MLA from Sadulshahar and a prominent figure aligned with former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

The full list of newly appointed AICC Secretaries for Uttar Pradesh includes Jagdish Chandra Jangid, Abhishek Dutt, Kunal Chaudhary, Sanjeev Arya, Varun Chaudhary, and Abdul Mannan. They replace Dheeraj Gurjar, Nilanshu Chaturvedi, Pradeep Narwal, Rajesh Tiwari, Satyanarayan Patel, and Tauqir Alam.

Gurjar's Long Tenure and Political Roots

Gurjar was first appointed as an AICC Secretary in 2019 during Rahul Gandhi's tenure as Congress President, initially working under Jyotiraditya Scindia — then the party's General Secretary in charge of Western Uttar Pradesh. Following subsequent organisational changes, he was attached to Priyanka Gandhi and continued to hold responsibilities in the state.

His assignment was retained even after Mallikarjun Kharge assumed the Congress presidency, with the party reappointing him as Co-in-charge Secretary for Uttar Pradesh in 2024. A former Congress MLA from the Jahazpur Assembly constituency in Bhilwara district, Gurjar is regarded as a close associate of Priyanka Gandhi. He began his political career through the NSUI and the Youth Congress before moving into electoral politics.

Who Is Jagdish Chandra Jangid

Jangid is considered one of the prominent OBC leaders within the Rajasthan Congress. A graduate of St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and a lawyer by profession, he is closely associated with the Gehlot camp. According to sources, his appointment is being viewed as part of the Congress leadership's effort to both strengthen its organisational presence in Uttar Pradesh and project a prominent OBC face in key party assignments.

Notably, Rajasthan retains its representation in the party's Uttar Pradesh structure — though through a different leader and a different factional alignment. Political observers say that beyond Gurjar's long tenure, evolving organisational and political considerations within the party likely shaped the decision.

Broader Significance

The reshuffle comes as the Congress continues to rebuild its organisational machinery in Uttar Pradesh ahead of future electoral cycles. The simultaneous replacement of all six secretaries signals a comprehensive reset rather than a targeted removal. Whether the new team can translate organisational change into electoral ground gains in a state where the party has struggled for over three decades remains the central question.