Congress's KC Venugopal to hold meetings to charter roadmap for post-poll Bengal

Kolkata, Jun 29 (PTI) Senior Congress leader K C Venugopal will hold meetings here with the party's West Bengal unit over two days, starting Monday, to discuss its strategy against the backdrop of the changed political scenario in the state following the Assembly polls, a leader said.

He said that Venugopal, the Congress general secretary (organisation), will meet the party's district unit presidents on Monday, senior state leaders on Tuesday and candidates who contested the Assembly polls.

"The political situation in Bengal has changed after the Assembly elections. The party leadership wants to hear directly from district presidents and senior leaders before finalising its future course of action," the leader told PTI.

Venugopal would review the party's organisational position in the state and seek feedback from leaders at different levels before submitting a report to the Congress high command, he said.

"He is expected to outline the party's roadmap in West Bengal and discuss the organisational priorities for the coming months." The discussion could also touch upon the Congress's relationship with the TMC in West Bengal, despite both parties being constituents of the INDIA bloc at the national level, the state leader said.

"There will be discussions on organisational expansion, strengthening district units and preparing for future political programmes. The leadership is also expected to take stock of the ground situation across the state," a senior West Bengal Congress leader said.

The TMC's organisational structure has weakened in several districts after the Assembly polls, prompting many of its workers and local leaders to explore possibilities of joining the Congress, he stated.

"There has certainly been an increase in enquiries from TMC workers who want to join us. However, the Congress will not induct anyone indiscriminately. The party's image and organisational discipline will remain the priority," the leader elaborated.

Possible induction of leaders from the TMC is also expected to figure in the discussions, he said, indicating that some state leaders were favouring guidelines to screen prospective entrants, particularly those facing allegations of corruption or criminal misconduct.

According to party leaders, Venugopal may also discuss the Congress' strategy on issues such as the eviction of hawkers and the proposed Uniform Civil Code, besides outlining the party's agitation programmes in the state.

The meetings are also expected to review preparations for the Congress's July 21 programme at Shahid Minar and discuss the participation of senior central leaders, party sources added.

In a post on X, the West Bengal Congress said Venugopal, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, and Amba Prasad will review the post-election situation in the state and outline the future direction.

"After the Assembly elections, another review meeting of this nature had been held. But this time, the review will continue for two consecutive days," it added. PTI