Former AICC secretary Sanjay Dutt from Maharashtra has taken over as the new Haryana incharge of the Congress party, facing the immediate challenge of bridging deep-seated factionalism that has long plagued the state unit. Party insiders express cautious optimism that Dutt's extensive organisational experience and ability to devote more time to Haryana could improve the party's fortunes.
Background of factionalism and recent challenges
Factionalism has been a persistent issue in the Haryana Congress, with successive general secretaries incharge failing to bring rival leaders together. The party recently navigated a keenly contested Rajya Sabha election under former incharge BK Hariprasad, where Congress retained its lone seat despite alleged cross-voting by some MLAs. Now, the party faces the twin challenge of maintaining unity while rebuilding its organisational network and sharpening its political strategy.
Why Sanjay Dutt is seen as a potential unifier
Leaders attribute their optimism to two factors. First, Dutt is expected to devote more time to Haryana than his predecessors, many of whom juggled multiple responsibilities and could not focus on resolving internal differences. Second, unlike former Union ministers like Kamal Nath and Ghulam Nabi Azad—who were considered too senior to deal with factional issues—Dutt is likely to have a more grounded approach. According to a party leader, "Dutt would have no hesitation in reaching out to all the leaders and the many factions since most of them are his party seniors."
First meeting and initial outreach
Scheduled to hold his first meeting in Chandigarh on July 8, Dutt has already met most of the party's senior Haryana leaders since taking charge last week. His appointment follows the elevation of BK Hariprasad as the Karnataka Congress Committee president. The timing is significant, as the Congress works to strengthen its organisational base, carries out the nationwide 'Chhatro Ki Goonj' campaign to raise issues like alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities, and monitors the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Haryana amid opposition allegations of irregularities.
Dutt's roadmap and strategy
When asked about his roadmap for Haryana, Dutt said it was premature to spell out a strategy. "I need to meet and interact with everyone. I have to understand the sentiments of our leaders, the cadre and the office-bearers. Only once everyone is on board, we formulate a plan," he stated. Dutt, who has served in Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh and has been an AICC secretary for a decade, noted that Haryana would have to be managed from both Delhi and Chandigarh. "Some pockets of the state are closer to Delhi while others are close to Chandigarh. I have already met several Haryana leaders in Delhi, including presidents of some district units located near the national capital," he added.
Extensive organisational experience
With nearly five decades of experience in the Congress organisation, Dutt has worked in the NSUI, Youth Congress, Seva Dal, and Pradesh Congress Committee, and has served the party in 16 states. Party leaders believe his extensive organisational experience could help strengthen the Congress' grassroots network in Haryana while addressing the long-standing challenge of internal cohesion.
