Rahul Gandhi to meet 75 DCC chiefs from Telangana and AP on March 2, discuss ‘strategy reset’

Vikarabad: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to address 75 District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on March 2.

The 10-day meeting of the presidents is in its final phase at Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad.

‘Strategy reset’

The visit of Rahul Gandhi is being viewed as a critical ‘strategy reset’ for the Congress party, aimed at shifting gears from recent electoral triumphs to sustainable grassroots governance.

Grassroots governance

The training programme, inaugurated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief YS Sharmila, has focused on a ‘merit-only’ culture. CM Revanth warned leaders against pairavi (lobbying), stating that organisational posts are rewards for dedication rather than political bargaining.

Key themes discussed during the sessions include:

Social justice and caste census: Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka dived into caste issues, emphasising that the completed Telangana Caste Survey and the proposed Rohith Vemula Act are not just policies, but essential tools for social equality.

The ‘Municipal Blueprint’: Discussions analysed the Congress party’s significant 12 per cent jump in vote share during the 2026 Municipal Elections. Leaders were urged to use this urban momentum to solidify their presence in rural sectors.

Andhra-Telangana Synergy: In a rare display of regional coordination, DCC heads from both states shared strategies on party consolidation, with Sharmila highlighting her padayatra experiences.

The Agenda for March 2: Rahul Gandhi’s visit

Rahul Gandhi’s presence at the valedictory session is expected to provide the national and state-level roadmap for the next two years, specifically targeting the 2028 Assembly elections.

Strengthening the ‘Booth-to-District’ Link: Gandhi is slated to unveil a digital-first outreach strategy. This includes an expansion of Digital Membership and training DCC chiefs to act as ‘rapid response’ units against opposition narratives.

Implementation of the ‘Six Guarantees’: A major part of the agenda involves the transparent delivery of the state's ‘Six Guarantees.’ Gandhi will likely brief leaders on ensuring these welfare schemes reach every household without middleman interference, framing it as the ‘Telangana Model’ of governance.

Saving the Constitution: Reinforcing his national stance, Gandhi will address the ‘Save the Constitution’ theme. Leaders will be trained to counter what the party calls ‘conspiracies’ against reservations for SC/ST/BC and minority communities.

Consultations and side discussions

The visit isn’t limited to the training camp. Gandhi is expected to hold private consultations with CM Revanth Reddy to address pressing internal matters:

Rajya Sabha Candidates: Finalising names for the upcoming vacancies in Telangana. There are meetings in New Delhi with a strong push for veteran leader V Hanumantha Rao and student leader Jetti Kusuma Kumar

The discussions will also include planning for the Telangana Formation Day on June 2.