The Congress looks set to effect an organisational reshuffle, especially in poll-bound states, shortly. The reshuffle is likely to affect the party set-up in Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.An indication to this effect came from AICC spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi who said on Monday the party would soon effect “tailored” and “focused” changes in the party, in view of the fact that several states are going to polls this year. “We have now deeply considered and analysed not only Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, but the all-India view in the light of the 10 elections coming up in the near future,” he said. “And we are in the process of making tailored, focused, remedial, effective changes in terms of individuals, strategies, policies, programmes,” he said. “Some of the results you are going to see in the next few days and weeks. Just wait and watch,” said Singhvi at a press briefing. He, however, told The Indian Express that he was talking in “general terms”, as “it is but natural” that there would be tailored and focused changes in terms of policies, programmes and personnel in tune with the strategy to win the elections. The reshuffle is likely to create several vacancies in the Union Cabinet as several ministers are learnt to be in the race for the posts of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chiefs. While Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi is lobbying for the post of West Bengal PCC chief, his deputy Suresh Pachauri is interested in MP PCC chief’s post. Union Minister Saifuddin Soz is eager to take over the reins of the party in Jammu & Kashmir, according to party sources.Meanwhile, the Congress on Monday took a dig at the BJP for reaffirming L K Advani’s candidacy for prime ministership at its national council meeting. “All this flurry of activity is only aimed at trying to install Mr Advani before people in the BJP and NDA allies change their mind,” said Singhvi. He described the series of meetings since December last as “stage-managed” activities to install Advani within the NDA and BJP fold as quickly as possible.“It is, therefore, a confidence-building measure designed by the BJP to deal with the insecurities of the Prime Minister-in-waiting, who has waited for decades, but is destined to wait for eternity,” said the Congress spokesperson.
