Former president of Jawaharlal University Students’ Union (JNUSU) Kanhaiya Kumar’s induction in the Congress could improve the party’s ability to revive its roots in Bihar, Congress leaders and political analysts said. Meanwhile, sources aid that the newly-inducted Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to be the next Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee chief. The former CPI leader joined the Congress on Tuesday, in the presence of party leader Rahul Gandhi at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi.
The two inductions are broadly seen as part of a continuing effort by Congress to expand its diminished support base. It was in this context that the Congress last week opted for S Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab Punjab chief minister. Kanhaiya, a former JNU student union president, had contested against Union Minister Giriraj Singh in Bihar’s Begusarai Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections but lost despite a high profile campaign. Since then he has maintained a low profile. As per a report, Kumar met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi recently, where his role in the party was discussed. Kanhaiya Kumar’s possible appointment as the BPCC chief is being perceived as a move to attract the young voters and revitalize Congress’ fortunes in Bihar. Opening up on why he joined the Congress, Kumar said, “I am joining Congress because it’s not just a party, it’s an idea. It’s the country’s oldest and most democratic party, and I am emphasizing ‘democratic’. Not just me many think that country can’t survive without Congress.”
