Kottayam: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) – the top decision-making body of the party – was reconstituted recently, in tune with Rahul Gandhi's policy of blending 'the wisdom of seasoned leaders with the vibrancy of the youth.'

The infusion of the two generations was visible in Rahul's pick of leaders from Kerala. AK Antony, Oommen Chandy, KC Venugopal and PC Chacko found their way to the top panel.

While the selection of Antony and Chacko, provided their close association with the Delhi circles, has come as no surprise, what paved way for the selection of Chandy and Venugopal seems to be an intriguing matter.

Interestingly, Rahul Gandhi had reversed the process of reconstituting the CWC - this time by announcing AICC general secretaries in advance. Both Chandy and Venugopal were elected AICC general secretaries in charge of Andhra and Karnataka respectively while Chacko is in charge of Delhi.

The party's Kerala unit is by and large happy about the pick, seen as a judicious recognition of true talent, though there are typical concerns as well, especially about an imbalance in maintaining the communal ratio.

“In the present scenario, where the BJP is pushing its Hindutva card aggressively, the lesser number of Hindu leaders from Kerala in the CWC is a matter of concern. However, the balance could be retained when the state leadership is reconstituted soon,” a party leader told Onmanorama on condition of anonymity.

Antony-Chandy team

Antony, former defence minister and three-time Kerala chief minister, is undoubtedly one of the tallest Congress leaders from the state. “It was nearly impossible to drop him from the panel provided his decades-long experience and proximity to the Nehru-Gandhi family,” the source in the party told Onmanorama over phone from Delhi. According to him, the choice of Chandy as a CWC member is the highlight of the reconstitution. The leader from Kerala said Chandy's inclusion was in recognition of his work as the chief minister and a party man from the state. This is the second ascension of Chandy to the central leadership after Rahul was appointed party president in December last year. In May, Chandy was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh. The former Kerala chief minister, known for his shrewd tactics and amicable approach towards even political rivals, had his first task accomplished when former AP chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy returned to the Congress early this month. “The high command, especially Rahul, is learnt to be happy with Chandy's work in Andhra. The latest elevation could be a proof of that,” the sources told Onmanorama.

Asked if the new responsibilities would prompt Chandy to shift his focus out of state, the leader, who claims to have known Chandy for long up and close, said the former CM is one leader sho can handle national as well as state politics alike.

Practical wisdom

According to him, both Venugopal and Chacko climbed up the ladder to the CWC, with their practical wisdom and knowledge of current affairs that would help the party chalk out strategies at the national level.

“Venugopal knows how to go up the way in the party hierarchy. He is an efficient learner. His language proficiency is also good. All these factors would have come in handy for him. Rahul has also been impressed by these qualities of Venugopal,” the Congress leader said. Venugopal's coordination of party affairs in Karnataka where the Congress retained power despite losing majority in the House was noted by the party top brass, it is learnt. That senior leader Digvijay Singh, whose mishandling of the post-election scenario in Goa led to the party failing to form government there despite having the largest number of seats, was dropped from the panel should be read along with Venugopal's elevation.

Think tank

Chacko has been a part of the party's think tank for long and it was imperative for the party to include him on the top panel, the source said.

Congress leader VD Satheesan expressed happiness over the inclusion of Kerala leaders in the CWC. He told Onmanorama that Rahul Gandhi was particularly happy about the organisational work of the party in Kerala. “Hence more leaders from Kerala are being accommodated in the higher committees,” he said.

Satheesan was recently appointed in-charge of the state of Odisha where Assembly elections are due to take place next year.