Kanhaiya Kumar, former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union and leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), is in contact with Congress. Kanhaiya is rumoured to be joining the Congress party in the coming days.
On Tuesday, the CPI youth leader met with former Congress President Rahul Gandhi. According to sources close to Kanhaiya, the two leaders have been meeting about this. Aside from Kanhaiya, numerous more fresh names are expected to join the party, including Gujarat Independent MLA Jignesh Mewani. Hardik Patel is already a member of Congress.
According to sources, Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani is also in contact with the Congress leadership. The Congress aided Mevani in the previous Assembly elections by not fielding a candidate from the Vadgam seat in northern Gujarat’s Banaskantha district.
Meanwhile, despite the suspicion, CPI general secretary D Raja visited Kanhaiya Kumar on Thursday. According to Hindustan Times, he criticised and denied the rumours.
“I did question him about the rumours. And, as a result of our talk, I want to reject these persistent rumours. He is the party’s youngest member of the national leadership and a valuable asset,” Raja told HT.
“He is a member of our national executive committee” (equivalent to CPIM politburo). He is allowed to meet with any political leader he wishes. Do you think he’ll meet Sitaram Yechury? He has already met with other political leaders,” he was reported as adding.
What role will Kanhaiya have in Congress?
While D Raja rejects the allegations, Kanhaiya’s enrollment into Congress is believed to be nearing completion. The Congress Party is planning a nationwide protest against the Modi administration.
This campaign can be related to young leaders who have identified with the movement. According to reports, Rahul Gandhi is assembling a team of young leaders to take against Prime Minister Modi in 2024. Rahul Gandhi is believed to be assembling a new team of young leaders who reject the BJP’s philosophy in order to resurrect the Congress party.
Leaders from Rahul’s previous team, including as Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada, and Sushmita Dev, have left the Congress and joined other parties. Leaders such as Randeep Surjewala and Milind Deora have been promoted to the senior squad.
Notably, Kanhaiya has been opposed by the RJD, a Congress ally in the state. As a result, it would be difficult for the Congress to make Kanhaiya a face in Bihar by upsetting the RJD. Kanhaiya, who was charged in 2016 with suspected anti-national sloganeering, is also believed to believe that he might harm Congress rather than help it.
According to Kanhaiya’s sources, it is vital to rescue the Congress in order to fight the BJP, and Rahul Gandhi is the only leader capable of challenging the BJP at the national level. Kanhaiya, who has previously been associated with the left, believes Rahul Gandhi should be supported.
