Congress rejig after Antony submits report

Revamp is expected to be at all organisational levels

The Congress is likely to undertake an organisational reshuffle after an informal committee headed by A K Antony submits its reports by July 6. The committee is probing the reasons for the Congress' debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. The panel after consulting all state party chiefs would also suggest the way forward.

Antony is being assisted by Mukul Wasnik. The committee has been meeting party chief ministers, legislative party leaders and AICC general secretaries in charge of the states.

Several AICC general secretaries, who have been holding the post for more than a decade, could be moved out. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, for instance, could be brought back to the AICC, while Sachin Pilot, who was appointed state unit chief but could not even win his seat, could make way for C P Joshi. Although Joshi too could not win his seat, sources say, the senior leader could be sent to Rajasthan as state unit chief.

Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni could replace Ajay Maken from the media department of the party. Many within the party believe Maken had failed in media management.

A senior leader admitted that apart from the organisational revamp, a chintan shivir (brain-storming camp) could also be on the cards but no date has been finalised as yet.

Along with a revamp of the AICC posts, the party will also need to revamp its state units. Several Pradesh Congress Committees including Delhi's were disbanded after the elections. The party will have to get its act together immediately, as key states of Haryana and Maharashtra are going to polls in the next few months.