The representation of Uttar Pradesh in the AICC and at the Centre has been increasing ever since Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi identified himself with the state to revive the party’s fortunes.
While at least eight Congress Working Committee members belong to the state, the number of Union ministers from UP is the same.
Ms Mohsina Kidwai, Mr Janardan Dwivedi and Mr Rahul Gandhi are CWC members because of their standing, experience and charisma. But the party has accommodated Mr Beni Prasad Verma, Mr Raj Babbar and Mr Rasheed Masood in the CWC despite their political background. All three are new entrants who had contested elections on the “anti-Congressism” plank. Mr Anil Shastri and Mr Nirmal Khatri come under a different category.
Currently, Mr Salman Khurshid, Mr Shri Prakash Jaiswal and Mr Beni Prasad Verma are Cabinet-rank ministers from the state. Another non-Congress minister is the RLD’s Ajit Singh. Mr R.P.N. Singh, Mr Jitin Prasada, Mr Pradeep Jain and Mr Rajeev Shukla are ministers of state.
The representation of UP in the party and the government will go up after the UP Assembly election, say insiders, hinting that there could be major changes. The Congress is fighting the electoral battle against the ruling BSP, the Samajwadi Party and the BJP simultaneously after launching a campaign against the Mayawati-government about two years ago. The SP and BSP have been backing the Manmohan Singh government from outside unconditionally.
The Congress is optimistic of regaining lost ground on the support of floating voters and new, young voters to some extent. These voters have seen the limitations of the BSP and SP on development and governance.