Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and others were seen holding discussions at Indira Bhavan, the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, ahead of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Tuesday.
The meeting comes as Congress leadership is mulling over the Election Commission and the debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The CWC meeting is scheduled for September 29 and chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Rahul Gandhi, D K Shivakumar and Revanth Reddy Meet
The meeting with Rahul Gandhi, D K Shivakumar, K C Venugopal and Revanth Reddy took place before the CWC.
D K Shivakumar is attending from Karnataka, while Revanth Reddy is from Telangana. Both leaders are among the senior Congress figures from states where issues of electoral rolls and future political preparations are being closely discussed within the party.
It was earlier reported that the CWC meeting would bring together senior Congress leaders and chief ministers to discuss the party’s position on the Election Commission-related developments.
Election Commission and SIR on CWC Agenda
The September 29 CWC meeting has been convened in light of reports of differences among the Election Commission over aspects of the SIR process.
Congress has also expressed concerns about changes to electoral roll procedures: voter additions and deletions and the handling of Form 6. The party has also been seeking action about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are normal in institutional deliberations and that its order has legal backing and follows procedures.
Revanth Reddy's focus on Telangana Voter Rolls
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is also expected to raise issues of voter deletions in Telangana during the CWC discussions. The issue will be one that he will put forward to the party's central leadership, as it has been reported.
The presence of leaders from different Congress-ruled states provides the meeting with a state-level perspective as the party considers the electoral roll and how to respond to it.
D K Shivakumar in Delhi for CWC meeting
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar travelled to Delhi for the CWC meeting. His participation comes as Congress leadership is debating the Election Commission, electoral rolls and the general political situation.
The CWC is the Congress’ highest decision-making body, and its September 29 meeting is closely watched for the resolutions and course of action that may emerge from the deliberations.
INDIA Bloc meeting scheduled for September 30
The Congress meeting is also scheduled before a proposed meeting of INDIA bloc parties in New Delhi on September 30. Opposition parties are expected to discuss a coordinated response to issues concerning the Election Commission and electoral-roll revision.
The discussions at the CWC meeting are therefore important in understanding the position of the Congress and some of the issues it will face in Parliament and in subsequent political engagement.
