Ahmedabad, Gujarat : Ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections, the Congress has made a major change to further strengthen the organization. The Congress high command has appointed Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala as the party in-charge of Gujarat. Mukul Wasnik, who was holding the responsibility of Gujarat Congress in-charge till now, has been relieved of this responsibility.

Randeep Surjewala has also been given the additional responsibility of being the General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka along with Gujarat. The list of organizational changes in the party has come into effect immediately after the approval of the Congress President.

Mukul Wasnik had submitted a request to the high command to relieve himself of the responsibility of Gujarat. Considering his request, the Congress has now handed over the charge of Gujarat to Randeep Singh Surjewala. However, Mukul Wasnik will continue as the AICC General Secretary of the Congress and his other responsibilities in the party will continue as before.

Surjewala’s appointment is being seen as an important organizational decision in view of the upcoming assembly elections in Gujarat. With the new responsibility, Surjewala will be challenged to make the organization more active in Gujarat, increase coordination between leaders at different levels of the party and speed up Congress’ preparations for the elections.

The Congress has not only done organizational restructuring for Gujarat. The party has also made major changes in the in-charges of other states.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has been removed from the post of in-charge of Punjab and given the responsibility of Assam. While Sachin Pilot has been made the new in-charge of Punjab.

Amidst the long-standing internal differences and factionalism in the Punjab Congress, Pilot’s appointment is being seen as an attempt to strengthen the organization.

With this change in leadership in Gujarat before the elections, the Congress has signaled a new direction for the organization. Now, everyone will be watching how the Gujarat Congress increases organizational momentum and advances the election strategy under Surjewala’s leadership.

For Randeep Surjewala, the new responsibility of Gujarat is not just an organizational appointment but can also be an important political test for the Congress before the elections.

Report – Abhijit Tushar Bhatt (Political Editor)