New Delhi, January 7, 2026: The All India Congress Committee has put in place a detailed plan by appointing senior national leaders as AICC Senior Observers for the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and West Bengal. The move is aimed at ensuring strong organisational supervision, effective coordination with state units, and timely feedback to the central leadership. The Senior Observers will closely monitor election preparedness, strengthen the party structure at all levels, guide campaign planning, address organisational issues, and help translate the party’s political messaging into effective ground-level outreach.
For Assam, the Congress has appointed former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and senior tribal leader Bandhu Tirkey. Bhupesh Baghel is known for his grassroots-oriented leadership and experience in implementing welfare-based governance, while D.K. Shivakumar is regarded as one of the party’s strongest organisational strategists who played a key role in Congress’ return to power in Karnataka. Bandhu Tirkey brings long experience in tribal politics and grassroots mobilisation, reflecting the party’s focus on social justice and inclusive outreach in the state.
In Kerala, the party has named Sachin Pilot, K.J. George, Imran Pratapgarhi, and Kanhaiya Kumar as Senior Observers. Sachin Pilot, a former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, is seen as a leader with strong appeal among youth and organisational experience at the national level. K.J. George, a senior leader from Karnataka, has extensive administrative and organisational experience. Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi is known for his powerful public connect and articulation of party ideology, while Kanhaiya Kumar brings ideological clarity and strong oratory skills, particularly resonating with young voters and academic circles.
For Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the Congress has entrusted responsibilities to Mukul Wasnik, Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin. Mukul Wasnik, a former Union Minister, has decades of experience in party organisation and alliance management. Uttam Kumar Reddy, former Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president, is known for his leadership skills and electoral understanding, while Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin has been associated with organisational coordination and minority outreach.
In West Bengal, the party has appointed Sudip Roy Barman, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, and Prakash Joshi as Senior Observers. Sudip Roy Barman, a former minister from Tripura, has deep understanding of political dynamics in eastern and northeastern India. Shakeel Ahmad Khan, a senior leader from Bihar, brings experience in legislative work and organisational management, while Prakash Joshi is regarded as a seasoned organisational hand with long association with the party’s election-related responsibilities.
The appointment of these leaders is seen as a clear signal of the Congress party’s intent to intensify preparations well in advance and ensure continuous central monitoring as it gears up for the forthcoming Assembly elections across key states.
