Congress leaders on Sunday mounted a robust defence of the party’s decision to appoint Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as chairperson of its screening committee for Assam, rejecting claims from the Bharatiya Janata Party that the move reflected internal rivalry between members of the Gandhi family. The party said the criticism was aimed at manufacturing a misleading narrative of competition between Rahul Gandhi and his sister, rather than addressing organisational choices made ahead of electoral planning.Senior figures in the Congress argued that the appointment followed established practice and drew on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s organisational experience. They recalled that she had earlier served as an ex officio member of the party’s screening committee during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, a role that involved overseeing candidate selection and coordinating with state leaders. According to the party, her elevation in Assam should be viewed through the same institutional lens, rather than as an exceptional or politically loaded decision.
The BJP, responding to the announcement, questioned the timing and intent behind the move, suggesting it signalled an attempt by the Congress to balance internal power equations. Congress spokespersons dismissed that interpretation, saying the ruling party was seeking to distract from governance issues by fuelling speculation about leadership dynamics within the opposition. They maintained that the Congress has long assigned senior leaders to screening committees based on political judgement and organisational need, especially in states where the party is seeking to rebuild its presence.
Assam has been a challenging terrain for the Congress over the past decade, marked by electoral setbacks and the consolidation of the BJP’s influence under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Party insiders said the decision to place Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the helm of the screening committee reflected an effort to bring sharper scrutiny to candidate selection and to energise local units. Screening committees play a critical role in vetting aspirants, balancing caste and community representation, and aligning state strategies with national priorities.
Congress leaders emphasised that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s responsibilities as a general secretary have frequently included organisational tasks beyond public campaigning. While she is often associated with mobilisation efforts and outreach, particularly in northern states, party officials said her involvement in internal processes has been consistent. They pointed to her work during the Uttar Pradesh polls, where she participated in evaluating candidates and coordinating with state leadership, as precedent for the Assam role.
The controversy has also highlighted broader debates within the Congress about leadership visibility and delegation. Over the years, the party has sought to project collective decision-making, with screening committees comprising senior leaders, state representatives and members of the central election committee. In that framework, the chairperson’s role is to steer discussions and ensure procedural discipline, rather than to unilaterally determine outcomes. Congress sources said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would work alongside local leaders to finalise recommendations, which would then be placed before the central leadership for approval.
Political analysts note that the BJP’s emphasis on a supposed Rahul-versus-Priyanka rivalry fits a familiar pattern of opposition critique, aimed at portraying the Congress as dynastic and internally divided. The Congress, in turn, has countered that such arguments overlook the party’s organisational structures and the fact that leadership roles are assigned through formal processes. Party leaders argued that the focus should remain on policy differences and electoral issues in Assam, including questions of development, social cohesion and federal relations.