Are Top Congress Leaders Set to Revamp Bengal for the 2026 Assembly Elections?

Kolkata, Sep 10 (NationPress) In an effort to enhance the operations of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) and its framework, the National President of the Congress' organizational division, K.C. Venugopal, Karnataka leader Nasir Hussain, and youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar are set to visit the state.

A senior Congress figure disclosed that Venugopal is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on September 11.

He will engage with WBPCC President Subhankar Sarkar and Congress observer for West Bengal Ghulam Ahmed Mir at a hotel in Kolkata.

The state party leadership emphasized that this meeting holds great significance for the forthcoming Assembly elections next year.

On September 15, Nasir Hussain and Kanhaiya Kumar plan to convene at Rammohan Hall in north Kolkata.

Sources indicate that several former Left leaders will join Congress during this meeting.

After assuming control of the State Congress unit, President Subhankar Sarkar has been reorganizing the party framework at all levels, from district to state.

Initially, he stated that this was among his primary objectives.

To mitigate party disputes and bolster organizational strength, the Congress under Sarkar's leadership has expanded the number of organizational districts.

Previously, the party had 28 organizational districts, which have now been raised to 33.

From September 11-15, national Congress leaders will conduct regular discussions with the 33 organizational district presidents and various branch office bearers.

Congress spokesperson Ashok Bhattacharya mentioned that the election strategy for the Assembly elections will be formulated during these meetings.

"As we approach the 2026 elections, such gatherings and programs will persist. The Pradesh Congress leadership is gearing up for the Assembly elections with complete vigor. The election strategy will be outlined," Bhattacharya added.

Simultaneously, three bodies of the Pradesh Congress—the Executive Committee, the Election Committee, and the Political Affairs Committee—are actively participating in various initiatives across the state.

On another note, the media management team of the Pradesh Congress has launched a 'Media Talent Hunt' following directives from the AICC Communication and Outreach Department.

This initiative, previously conducted at the national level, is now being implemented at the state level.

The aim is to recruit spokespersons proficient in four languages—Bengali, English, Hindi, and Urdu.

The goal is to finalize the recruitment process by September 20.

Last month, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sanctioned the formation of the Political Affairs Committee, Pradesh Election Committee, and Executive Committee for the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC).

The party also appointed new office bearers and district presidents for the state Congress unit.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir has been included in the newly-formed Political Affairs Committee and Election Committee for West Bengal.

The establishment of these committees, along with the visit of Central Congress leaders to the state, is crucial ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls.

This development occurs amid uncertainty within the West Bengal Congress regarding its potential alliance or seat-sharing strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections, with indications that the party's central leadership—including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi—is moving closer to the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The central issue concerning state Congress leaders is whether the party will maintain its seat-sharing arrangement with the CPI-M-led Left Front—which has been ongoing since 2016—or shift to a new alliance with the TMC for the 2026 state elections.

Officially, State Congress President Subhankar Sarkar stated that decisions regarding alliances or seat-sharing agreements, whether at the national or state level, ultimately lie with the All India Congress Committee (AICC).