From jiu-jitsu to classroom sessions, Rahul Gandhi trains DCC chiefs in strategy and ideology in Vikarabad

Vikarabad: Training sessions for the DCC presidents on the jiu-jitsu mat were conducted by Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, emphasising that the power lies with the people and politics is not driven by the elite.

The 10-day session culminated in a high-powered closure with a three-hour-long session for 70 people. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Mahesh Kumar Goud, Telangana Incharge Meenakshi Natarajan, AP Congress Chief YS Sharmila and many other leaders also participated.

Must shed ‘ivory tower’ image

Rahul Gandhi led an intensive brainstorming session, emphasising that the Congress party must shed its ‘upper-class ivory tower’ image.

The District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents have been elected based on their skills. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi asked them to rely on their skills and hone them further.

A DCC president explained, “He asked us not get carried away as we are elected as presidents but to focus on the structural rejuvenation of the party. Each president must investigate the issues of the people and constantly be in touch with them. He especially pointed out the issues of the lower and middle classes and asked that the contact with the people must be constant.”

‘Must practise social justice’

Another member explained, “He emphasised a lot on social justice. Some of the DCC presidents come from the middle and lower middle class of the society, and Rahul Gandhi was very particular that social justice must be understood and practised by the party workers.”

Gandhi emphasised that Congress must become the primary vehicle for the aspirations of the lower and middle classes.

“We need to do more of these sessions,” Rahul Gandhi told the gathered DCC presidents. “The strength of the Congress isn’t in a building; it’s in the sweat of the worker. This ‘jiu jitsu’ model—where we learn to use the energy of the people to drive change—is our new blueprint for discipline.”

A ‘jiu jitsu’ paradigm: From the mat to the field

The 10-day intensive program, facilitated by Meenakshi Natarajan, was described by attendees as a ‘political bootcamp.’ The schedule was designed to flatten hierarchies and instil physical and mental grit.

Two-day outing program

On the first day, the DCC presidents carried out the work of MGNREGA workers in Vikarabad district.

The next day, they dressed like common villagers and carried out work in the village, explained a source in the Congress party.

8 days of classroom training

The eight days of classroom training started from 7 am with flag hoisting, reinforcing the ideological commitment of the Congress party.

The jiu-jitsu training was carried out to build stamina and a shared sense of struggle.

A DCC president explained, “The physical activity and its importance in politics were well explained by Rahul Gandhi. He spoke of how power goes from the ground to the top. For many of us, it was a session of motivation, rebuilding our commitment and understanding the Congress ideology. Many of us felt more rooted and closer to the party after the session.”

The Sasikanth Senthil presentation

Former IAS officer and MP Sasikanth Senthil provided the intellectual backbone for the revamp. His presentation focused on shifting the DCC’s focus toward issue-based politics.

Senthil outlined a data-driven approach to tackling minority issues and economic grievances, urging presidents to move away from ‘personality-driven’ campaigning. The focus is now on tangible local problems: wage delays in MGNREGA, the needs of the lower-middle class, and direct engagement with marginalised communities.

Key implementation goals

1. Mandatory Fieldwork: Leaders will now be required to conduct regular ‘village audits’ while integrated into the community.

2. Feedback Loops: A new system where lower-middle-class grievances are elevated directly to the DCC weekly agenda.

From Telangana, 33 district presidents and three corporation presidents of Hyderabad, Warangal and Nizamabad were present along with senior leaders.

From Andhra Pradesh, 26 district presidents participated along with the senior leaders of Andhra Pradesh Congress.

The meetings saw a structured system in place, which the Indian National Congress is to replicate in the other states of India to strengthen its core base.