The Congress high command is preparing a leadership reshuffle, with changes expected for state unit presidents in six states, including Tamil Nadu, according to reports.
The move comes as party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s term is set to end in October, and assembly elections are due next year in seven states—Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Party leaders are said to be reluctant to face the elections under the current leadership, and an extension of the term is reportedly not preferred.
Delhi is considering appointing an interim All India Congress president from among former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, and former Union minister P. Chidambaram. Reports suggest Gehlot is seen as the frontrunner.
A Congress Working Committee meeting is scheduled in Delhi on July 8 and 9, where changes to All India Congress secretaries are also expected. For the Tamil Nadu Congress president post, MPs Manickam Tagore, Karti, Vishnu Prasad, and Pravin Chakravarthy, along with former MP Chellakumar, are said to be in contention.
TN Congress chief Selvaperunthagai said he had spoken to Kharge about stepping down from the state president post and expressed hope that the leadership would accept his request and relieve him.
