Congress reverts to 1960s strategy to check prolonged poll slump | What is at the core of its back-to-basics approach?

In response to its prolonged political slump, Congress is considering a back-to-basics approach by decentralising major decision-making to its district units, which have been sidelined in recent years.

According to a report by The Times of India citing sources, the idea of reorganising the party around District Congress Committees (DCCs) was discussed during a meeting of party leaders on Wednesday, with office-bearers overseeing state units.

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Mint could not independently verify the development.

Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi reportedly emphasised the need to focus on strengthening district units, promoting loyal workers, and potentially elevating the role of DCCs in future party decisions, per the report.

What is the 60s model?

TOI reported citing sources that Congress may prioritise district units in the candidate selection process for elections. Currently, recommendations start with the District Congress Committees (DCCs), then move to state units, and finally to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), The Times of India reported.

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However, the party leadership feels that there has been too much centralisation, leading to the marginalisation of the initial recommending authority.

Historically, Congress was organised around district units in the 1960s, before shifting its focus to the AICC. The leadership is also considering giving district units more influence in shaping campaign strategies and decision-making.

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The push to restore political power to the districts comes after costly lessons, such as the failure to form DCCs in Haryana for over seven years, which contributed to poor results in the recent assembly elections. Similar issues have arisen in other states as well, according to The Times of India report.

The Congress put up a better-than-expected performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, but failed to maintain momentum. It received a drubbing in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi assembly polls, prompting calls for an introspection.