'You will be accountable for poll results': Mallikarjun Kharge's stern warning to party leaders

In a significant push for organisational restructuring, the Congress brass has directed its general secretaries and state in-charges to focus on strengthening the party at the grassroots and promote people who are committed to the ideology of the Congress party.

"It is your responsibility to strengthen the organisation from State headquarters to booths as soon as possible. You will have to go to the booth yourself for this work, work hard, and interact with the workers. Our frontal cells will have to be involved," Congress president Malikarjun Kharge said on Wednesday at a meeting of the party's general secretaries and state in-charges.

He added that the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) is an important part of the party and therefore should be involved in organisation building.

He further urged leaders to visit booths, interact with workers, and put in hard work to rebuild the party’s network effectively. 

For the party which has consecutively lost three assembly elections—Haryana Maharashtra and Delhi—Kharge emphasized the need for direct involvement of respective incharges in the organisational framework. 

A political analyst said, "The party did form government in the other two regions like Jharkhand (with Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) and Jammu and Kashmir (with National Conference), but only because of the performance of regional players. Their performance got pulled up by their hardwork."

Kharge also pointed out the lack of accountability factor which has impeded the performance of the rank and file. He said, "Here I would like to tell you one very important thing about accountability. All of you will be accountable for the organization of the states under your charge and for the future election results."

There is a realisation within the party that mobilising cadres is key to boosting the party’s outreach and ensuring people’s issues are highlighted. 

Kharge also cautioned against the hurried induction of individuals lacking ideological commitment. He warned that those with weak ideological foundations tend to abandon the party in challenging times, emphasizing the need to avoid such entrants.

The “loyalty “ factor also found mention as Kharge stressed that the leaders who have remained steadfast in adversity but have not yet received opportunities should rise within the organisation. 

The rare virtue of loyalty has played a vital role in keeping the Congress flock together through challenging times, which is why the Congress is focussing on identifying leaders who are committed to its ideology in the ever-evolving political environment.