Polls on agenda as Congress Working Committee begins 2-day Hyderabad meet on September 16, 2023

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Hyderabad on September 16 and 17, 2023, is indeed significant for the Indian National Congress. Here are some key points related to the meeting and its agenda:

1. Election Focus : The primary focus of the meeting is on the upcoming state assembly elections in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. The Congress party aims to make gains in these states, with special emphasis on Gujarat, where it has been out of power for nearly three decades. These elections are crucial for the party's efforts to regain ground at the state level.

2. 2024 General Election Strategy : The CWC meeting is also dedicated to discussing the party's strategy for the 2024 general election. The Congress aims to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and return to power at the national level after a decade. This involves devising a comprehensive electoral strategy, alliances, and policies to attract voters.

3. Economic and Political Situation : The meeting will also address critical issues facing the country, including economic challenges like inflation and unemployment. Additionally, it will likely discuss the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the overall political situation in India. The Congress party's stance on these issues and its proposed solutions will be important points of discussion.

4. Internal Organization and Challenges : The Congress has been grappling with internal challenges, including factionalism and leadership issues. The CWC meeting provides an opportunity to address these internal concerns and discuss ways to strengthen the party's internal organization and functioning.

5. Attendees : The meeting is attended by 84 CWC members, including permanent and special invitees, as well as the Chief Ministers of the four Congress-ruled states. On the second day, an extended CWC meet with 147 party members will include Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chiefs and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leaders.

The outcome of this CWC meeting will indeed be closely watched, as it will offer insights into the Congress party's plans and strategies for both the upcoming state elections and the 2024 general elections. It will also provide an indication of how the party intends to address its internal challenges and whether it can present a formidable challenge to the ruling BJP in the national political landscape.