Cong to hold dist panel meeting after 16 yrs, aims for grassroots push

After a string of electoral setbacks, the Congress has decided to convene a District Congress Committee (DCC) heads meeting for the first time in 16 years, aiming to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh after a three-hour strategy meeting at Indira Bhawan, attended by senior leaders including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Ajay Maken, and others.

Following the meeting, Ramesh stated, “Today, Congress President Khargeji held discussions with AICC general secretaries and incharges. A total of 33 leaders participated.”

He further announced that DCC heads from across India will gather in Delhi on March 27, March 28, and April 3 at Indira Gandhi Bhawan, with around 700 district heads participating in three phases, 250 per day.

“This is the first such meeting in 16 years. The focus is on how to strengthen DCCs and ensure their active role within the party’s central structure,” Ramesh said.

The centenary of the 1924 Belgaum Congress session was celebrated in Karnataka’s Belagavi last year.

“In Belagavi on December 24, 2024, ‘Nav Satyagraha’ meet was held. There it was declared that 2025 will be the Congress’ ‘Organisational Year’ to strengthen the party. This DCC meeting is part of that vision,” he said.

The Congress also discussed its upcoming CWC meeting in Ahmedabad on April 8, followed by an All India Congress Committee (AICC) session on April 9.

Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, in charge of Gujarat, said, “Gujarat has played an important role to lay the foundation for strong India. It is there we are again going to hold the AICC meet. This year the 150th anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel is being celebrated across the country.”