Credibility issues cloud Congress prospects in Bengal

The Indian National Congress, struggling for relevance in West Bengal, has launched a high-stakes organisational overhaul as top central leaders descended on Kolkata this week, hoping to revive the party and prepare a strategy for the pivotal 2026 Assembly elections.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

Yet, even amid renewed activity—intensive meetings, talent hunts, and outreach plans—persistent credibility challenges and internal divisions continue to cloud Congress's prospects in a State where its support base has shrunk dramatically over the past decade.

The latest push began on September 11, with All India Congress Committee General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal holding a series of meetings with the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) in Kolkata.

Alongside Venugopal, leading figures such as Deepa Das Munshi, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Shakti Singh Gohil, and Pradeep Bhattacharya engaged with newly appointed State president Subhankar Sarkar and his reconstituted team.

Over five days, central leaders are meeting the 33 district presidents—the number expanded from 28 in Sarkar's recent shake-up—to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for rejuvenation.

"We need to accelerate work within the WBPCC. Bengal must gear up organisationally if Congress is to remain relevant in 2026," Venugopal declared, signalling Delhi's determination to guide the troubled State unit.

In a bid to attract new supporters and sharpen its message, the State Congress launched a 'Media Talent Hunt' this week, aiming to recruit spokespersons in Bengali, Hindi, English and Urdu by September 20.

The Pradesh Congress Election Committee, Executive Body, and Political Affairs Committee have initiated regular State-wide programmes to galvanise grassroots workers, with State spokesperson Ashok Bhattacharya describing the current meetings as "decisive" for shaping the poll plan.