Azad, Deshmukhs are back

Eye firmly on general elections, the Congress has reshuffled its pack, bringing back the experienced Ghulam Nabi Azad as general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Orissa.

As for Maharashtra, Sonia Gandhi appointed former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh head of the  campaign committee and revoked former PCC chief Ranjit Deshmukh’s suspension.

The decision on Ranjit is a continuation of the party’s ‘forgive and forget’ policy. On Wednesday, Narayan Rane was reinstated. Azad’s return is by far the most significant feature of the changes announced on Thursday. 

Most other appointments are to fill up vacancies likely to be created because some incumbents will contest the Lok Sabha elections or rationalise workload of general secretaries.

Former J&K chief minister Azad was general secretary for 13 years and has been in charge of almost all states. The hope being expressed in party circles is that he will use his vast experience to unite factitious state units and help turnaround the party’s fortunes.

Azad has his task cut out in TN and Karnataka. Alliances are expected to play an important role and the outcome in these states will be critical in deciding the next government.

Former general secretary Margaret Alva also makes a return of sorts. She has been put on election screening committees for Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, but not reinstated in the CWC.