Premium

Cong proposes panel with 40% OBC leaders

It will have around 15 per cent women representation.

According to the sources within the state Congress, the new state executive committee under the leadership of recently appointed Maharashtra unit chief Harshvardhan Sapkal will be of almost 280 leaders. (File Photo/Ganesh Shirsekar)

The Maharashtra Congress has proposed a new jumbo state executive committee with around 280 members, of which 40 per cent will be leaders from the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The move is perceived as an attempt by the party to attract OBC voters as the civic body polls in the state are expected to be held later this year.

It will have around 110-115 general secretaries, 105-108 secretaries, five senior spokespersons, one media coordinator and treasurer each, around 15-20 senior vice-presidents and 35-40 vice presidents.

It will have around 15 per cent women representation.

The final list of the state executive has been sent to central leadership for final approval as the high command is still mulling over it.

“After the defeat in 2024 state Assembly polls, the party has decided to focus on OBCs. The Congress at national level too is working extensively to represent itself as a party which truly stands with the OBCs. In Maharashtra, it has been decided to give additional space to the OBC leadership,” said a senior state Congress leader, who is associated with the formation of the final list.

During the Assembly 2024 elections, the Mahayuti had extensively worked on attracting OBC voters after its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Story continues below this ad

The overwhelming support of OBCs to the BJP was cited as one of the key factors of defeat of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

With almost 40 per cent OBC leaders, the executive will have 16-17 per cent leaders from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, 18-19 per cent minorities and 25 – 28 per cent general category leaders.

The party has also attempted to give highest representation to Vidarbha, a region where it hopes to bounce back politically due to its organisation and leadership.

Almost 40 per cent of the executive committee will be composed of leaders from Vidarbha, which includes both Amaravati and Nagpur divisions.

Story continues below this ad

Marathwada and western Maharashtra will be the next focus, followed by Konkan.

“We need to give attention to north Maharashtra where the leaders of Mahayuti have tried to destroy the party organisation at the maximum level,” the leader said.

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram