Congress Strengthens Organizational Base Ahead of 2026 Elections, Targets Independent Fight

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 3, 2025, Kolkata : In a significant message to the party workers, the Congress leadership has emphasized the need to focus on strengthening the organization in preparation for the 2026 assembly elections. During a one-day visit to Kolkata on Saturday, Ghulam Mir, the state Congress observer, underscored the importance of building the party’s foundation at the grassroots level before considering alliances with other parties. He conveyed that the party's priority should be to enhance its own strength, positioning Congress as a key player capable of negotiating any future political collaborations.

Speaking at a political workshop at the Vidhan Bhavan, Mir stated, "We have to increase our value. We need to place ourselves in a position where, if other parties want to join with Congress, we can negotiate terms on our own." His message was clear: Congress must first build a robust organizational structure before contemplating any compromises or alliances with other political forces.

Mir directed the workers to focus on strengthening the party at the booth level, stressing that a strong local presence is essential to mounting a successful electoral campaign. However, workers voiced concerns that during elections, the ruling party in the state often prevents Congress agents from being posted at booths, using intimidation tactics. In response, Ghulam Mir assured that the top leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, or Mallikarjun Kharge, could visit Kolkata in the lead-up to the elections. However, he emphasized that a committee must first be established at the booth level for the party to move forward effectively.

The workshop also saw the participation of prominent Congress leaders, including Adhir Chowdhury, Pradeep Bhattacharya, Subhankar Sarkar, and Abhijit Mukherjee. Adhir Chowdhury and Pradeep Bhattacharya were vocal in their criticism of both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, accusing them of engaging in communal politics that threatens the democratic fabric of Bengal.

Another key issue discussed was the "ghost voter" controversy, which has been a point of contention between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP. While Trinamool has alleged that the BJP is manipulating the voter list by registering fake or "ghost" voters, Congress has taken a slightly different stance. Mir stated that the priority should be to remove the names of deceased individuals from the electoral rolls, rather than focusing solely on allegations of voter manipulation. He called for a thorough cleaning of the voter list to ensure its accuracy and integrity.

As the 2026 assembly elections approach, Congress appears focused on building a strong foundation within the state, with a clear emphasis on organizational growth and a commitment to fighting the elections independently. The leadership’s strategy to strengthen booth-level operations signals a determined push to improve the party's performance in the upcoming polls.