Since Ashok Gehlot has chaired the Rajasthan’s Chief Minister throne, the post of Congress general secretary (in-charge of organisation and training) remains vacant. The post that is considered second to that of party president Rahul Gandhi’s has several key contenders to fill in the spot, Mukul Wasnik being considered as a front-runner.
Mukul Wasnik
Wasnik, who is from the Dalit community, works extensively with frontal organisations, making it an easier choice. He is the in-charge of the party’s Central Election Committee as well as Kerala, TN, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
Son of veteran Congress Leader and three time MP Balkrishna Wasnik, Mukul became the youngest Member of Parliament at age of 25 in 1984. He was National President of National Students Union of India during 1984-1986; and President of Indian Youth Congress during 1988-1990.
Earlier Wasnik has represented Buldhana (Lok Sabha constituency) of Maharashtra during 12th Lok Sabha from 1998-1999, 10th Lok Sabha from 1991-1996 and 8th Lok Sabha during 1984-1989.
Panna Lal Punia
Further probable contenders for the post includes Panna Lal Punia who has been highly credited for his tireless work in Chhattissgarh during Assembly elections.
Usually known as P L Punia, he is member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh since 2014. He was member of the Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014. A Dalit leader of Indian National Congress, Punia has been chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes between 2013-2016.
Also read: E- Formula: The magic mantra and men behind Congress’ win in Chhattisgarh
Digvijay Singh
Another key contender is Digvijay Singh who may be a majority pick considering him as Rahul Gandhi’s political guru. It is said that Singh’s public statements are a weapon the party uses when felt cornered. His controversial statements are bound to draw attention away from crucial national issues. Currently a General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, Singh has served as the 14th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for two terms from 1993 to 2003. Prior to that he was a minister in Chief Minister Arjun Singh’s cabinet between 1980–84. Despite his close long ties with Congress, the insiders are divided. Singh himself was heard commenting in Bhopal recently that he was being shunned.
Harish Rawat
Next possible in the raw can be the former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat. A five-time Member of Parliament, Rawat has served as Union Minister of Water Resources in the cabinet of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from 2012 to 2014. He also worked as Minister of State at the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Ministry of Labour and Employment.
K C Venugopal
Another core committee member considered probable is K C Venugopal, who has been appointed as General Secretary of AICC in charge of Karnataka on 29 April 2017. He came to active politics through the Student Movement of the Indian National Congress. He became the State President of the Kerala Students Union and State President of the Indian Youth Congress. He has been on a right trajectory of political career in his party. From being a president of the Payyanur College unit of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) to his induction in the Union Cabinet, it was a long journey for a leader of his age.
