The Congress party has replaced Avinash Pande as the Uttar Pradesh incharge, appointing Dalit leader Rajendra Pal Gautam to steer the party in the crucial poll year. The decision was announced on June 26, 2026, as part of a broader organisational reshuffle aimed at strengthening the party's presence in key states.
Key appointments in the reshuffle
According to sources, BK Hariprasad, who previously served as Karnataka incharge, has been appointed as the new Karnataka chief. In his place, Sanjay Dutt has been made incharge of Haryana. Additionally, Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai has been appointed as the new Odisha incharge, replacing Ajay Lallu.
Former Youth Congress president BV Srinivas will take over as the new Chief Organiser of Seva Dal, succeeding Lalji Desai. Ajay Lallu, who was previously handling Odisha, will now focus on his home state Uttar Pradesh, which is heading to elections.
Strategic move ahead of Uttar Pradesh polls
The appointment of Rajendra Pal Gautam, a Dalit leader, is seen as a strategic move to consolidate Dalit votes in Uttar Pradesh, a state with a significant Dalit population. The Congress party hopes to leverage Gautam's background to counter the influence of other parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).
Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to go to polls in early 2027, and the Congress party has been working to rebuild its organisation in the state after a series of electoral setbacks. The reshuffle is part of a broader effort to inject fresh leadership and address internal challenges.
Impact on party organisation
The changes are expected to streamline party operations and improve coordination between state units and the central leadership. Lalji Desai's move to Odisha is aimed at reviving the party's fortunes in the state, where it has been struggling to regain its footing. Similarly, Sanjay Dutt's appointment in Haryana is intended to strengthen the party's presence ahead of upcoming local elections.
BV Srinivas, as the new Chief Organiser of Seva Dal, will be responsible for training and mobilising party workers, a critical role in preparing for the electoral battles ahead.
