Priyanka Gandhi Leads Congress Screening Push Ahead of Assam Polls

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived in Assam on Thursday for a two-day visit, marking a renewed push by the party’s central leadership as preparations gather pace for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The visit, centred on her role as chairperson of the party’s screening committee, is expected to play a key part in finalising candidates and strengthening coordination within the State unit. Senior leaders described her presence as a morale booster for grassroots workers and an indication of the high stakes the party attaches to Assam.

At the airport, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi said the visit would give block-level and grassroots leaders a rare opportunity to directly share their concerns and suggestions. He noted that while large political meetings often limit interaction, this exercise would allow organisational voices to be heard in detail.

Soon after landing, Gandhi visited the Kamakhya Temple to offer prayers before heading to Rajiv Bhawan, the APCC headquarters in Guwahati, where a series of screening meetings began. The sessions are part of the party’s internal process to evaluate potential candidates and gather feedback from across organisational tiers.

She was received at the party office by senior leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia and AICC general secretary in charge of Assam Jitendra Singh, along with other office-bearers. Traditional cultural performances marked her arrival as discussions commenced.

Party leaders indicated that the deliberations could extend late into the night, involving representatives from block and district committees, frontal organisations and various party cells. The effort is aimed at streamlining candidate selection and strengthening the party’s electoral strategy ahead of the polls.

According to party sources, the screening process is expected to be completed at the earliest, with the first list of candidates likely to be announced by the end of February following consultations with the central leadership. Gandhi is also expected to return to Assam in the coming weeks to review progress and engage further with party workers as the election season approaches.

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