The Congress party announced on Sunday the appointment of senior leader Ajay Maken as the new treasurer, succeeding Pawan Kumar Bansal. Maken, known for his close association with Rahul Gandhi, had been without a specific party post since resigning as the Congress general secretary in charge of Rajasthan a few months ago.
Party general secretary K C Venugopal made the official announcement, stating, “Congress president has appointed Ajay Maken as the treasurer of the All India Congress Committee, with immediate effect.” The statement also expressed appreciation for the outgoing treasurer, Pawan Kumar Bansal, who had taken on the role following the passing of Ahmed Patel.
Ajay Maken, a former Union Minister, has a long history within the Congress party. He previously served as the Delhi unit chief and held ministerial positions in the government of Sheila Dikshit in Delhi. Additionally, he has been a General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and is a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Maken’s appointment as treasurer aligns with his continued prominence within the party.
In another development within the Congress party, there have been calls to delay seat-sharing talks with INDIA bloc partners for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Some Congress leaders, particularly those from states where the Congress is in direct competition with certain INDIA bloc partners, have advocated postponing these talks until November. This delay is seen as a strategic move to negotiate from a position of greater strength.
During a recent two-day brainstorming session of the Congress Working Committee, several leaders supported the idea of strengthening the Congress organization and the opposition INDIA alliance. While party leaders emphasized the need to bolster the Congress and the broader opposition bloc, they cautioned against rushing into seat-sharing arrangements with like-minded parties.
Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi emphasized the importance of strengthening the INDIA alliance. Sonia Gandhi called for enhancing the alliance, while Rahul Gandhi stressed the need to fortify both the Congress party and the opposition alliance. This suggests that Congress is adopting a cautious and deliberative approach to its alliances for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, aiming to build a strong and united front.
The delay in seat-sharing talks reflects the party’s commitment to securing the best possible electoral outcomes while ensuring that the Congress and its partners are well-prepared to take on the challenges of the 2024 elections. The Congress party is keen to position itself strategically within the INDIA bloc to maximize its influence and chances of success in the upcoming polls.