HYDERABAD: Ahead of the local body elections, internal feedback gathered by AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan from party MLAs, MLCs, MPs and DCC presidents has revealed growing unrest within the Congress ranks.
Several leaders have expressed frustration over the lack of village-level data on beneficiaries of government welfare schemes, especially the farm loan waiver. With no clear data at the family or individual level, it has become increasingly difficult for them to highlight the schemes to voters on the ground.
They have urged Natarajan to ensure the immediate compilation of such data. They point out that accurate, village-specific records could prove crucial in improving the prospects of the party candidates at the grassroots level, particularly sarpanch and MPTC aspirants.
Meanwhile, competition among ticket aspirants has now intensified to the point that it borders on infighting. A few MPs and MLAs have pointed to intense competition, pushing for a merit-based shortlisting of candidates.
They also called for priority to be given to “original Congress leaders”—those who stood by the party in its lean years—over “parachute leaders” who were inducted at the last moment. According to them, favouring the latter could give an advantage to rival parties.
Another grievance involves long-time loyalists who were overlooked for nominated posts. More than 40 such posts have been filled at the state level, and hundreds at the local level, yet several prominent figures remain sidelined. For many, the long wait that has now stretched over a year and a half has only deepened disillusionment.
Meanwhile, some senior leaders who have been tasked with reviving the party’s fortunes in constituencies represented by defected MLAs say that internal groupism in these areas has reached challenging levels. This, they believe, would impact the party’s election strategy.
Perhaps most revealing is what insiders describe as a surprising pattern among those meeting Natarajan: Nearly half reportedly lobbied for posts such as working president or senior vice president, rather than offering strategies to bolster the party in their constituencies or districts.
As the local body polls draw near, the uncertainty over the finalisation of key committees and leadership appointments at the AICC level looms over the Congress cadre. With no timeline in sight, the vacuum has intensified the unease within party circles.