Congress Prioritises Merit Over Patronage in New District Leadership Formula, Says Ajay Kumar Lallu

Srinagar, Dec 1: Signaling a sweeping shift in its organizational strategy, senior Congress leader and AICC in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu announced today that the party will no longer rely on recommendations or internal lobbying for key district-level appointments. Instead, the focus will be on elevating young, capable, and result-oriented leaders who demonstrate a genuine connection with the grassroots.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, flanked by JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra and senior leader Nizamudin Bhat, the Congress Working Committee member underlined that the party’s restructuring under the “Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan” marks one of the most significant overhauls in recent years. The initiative aims to rebuild the organisation from the bottom up, revive cadre confidence, and strengthen voter outreach across the country.

Lallu reiterated that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has made it unequivocally clear that district presidents will no longer be chosen on the basis of recommendations, influence or factional backing. Instead, organizational merit, performance, accountability and the ability to deliver on the ground will be the decisive criteria for leadership roles.

“Those who are young, capable and willing to work selflessly for the party will be prioritised,” he said, adding that the new system is designed to create a more transparent, democratic and professional organisational culture.

Under this reform, district presidents will play a far more empowered role than before. They will be part of the pre-election feedback chain, participate in candidate-selection consultations, and meet Rahul Gandhi regularly to brief him about local political issues and grassroots concerns. To ensure smooth coordination, a central “connect centre” will soon be established to streamline communication between district units and the high command.

Significantly, Lallu clarified that district presidents under the new structure will not contest elections. The idea is to appoint individuals fully dedicated to organisational strengthening rather than those pursuing personal political ambitions. “If they perform well, they will be given appropriate responsibilities and adjustments at the right time,” he said.

The Congress has already initiated this process in Srinagar district as part of a broader plan to reconnect with people at the grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir. Lallu emphasised that the feedback-gathering exercise is underway in several parts of J&K and forms a critical component of the nationwide campaign.

“So far, 10 states have been covered under the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan. Senior AICC and CWC members are directly involved in assessing ground realities and reorganising district leadership,” he added.

Lallu said his visit to Kashmir comes under the explicit instructions of the CWC to personally meet party workers, understand their expectations, and evaluate local-level organisational challenges before finalising new district presidents.