The appointment of senior Karnataka leader P V Mohan as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs is believed to be aimed at rebuilding the party organisation and reshaping political equations in the state.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal issued the latest organisational orders from New Delhi. While senior leader Manickam Tagore has been assigned responsibility for Tamil Nadu, Mohan has been given charge of Andhra Pradesh.
Mohan, who hails from Karnataka, has held several organisational roles within the AICC and is known for his involvement in strengthening party structures and coordinating grassroots-level political activity.
He has served as an AICC secretary and observer in several states. Congress sources point to his experience in southern states, particularly Kerala and Lakshadweep, where he was involved in efforts to resolve internal differences and bring various sections of the party organisation together.
His supporters credit him with identifying leaders who enjoy grassroots support and helping strengthen the party organisation.
His association with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) is also being cited as an advantage, as it gave him an early understanding of the functioning of the party’s grassroots cadre and student wing.
According to sources, the Congress leadership expects Mohan to play a key role in rebuilding the party’s organisational machinery from the grassroots level. He is taking charge at a time when the Congress remains electorally weak in Andhra Pradesh.
Congress leaders believe the political space in Andhra Pradesh could undergo significant changes in the coming years, particularly if voters begin looking for an alternative to the ruling alliance.
Against this backdrop, there is speculation that the Congress could explore some form of political understanding with YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
It may be recalled that former YSRCP leader V Vijayasai Reddy recently indicated that Jagan may extend support to the Congress at the national level. Jagan’s recent comments extending support to the latest agitations by the Cockroach Janata Party and Gen-Z have added to the speculation.
Jagan is also said to be under the impression that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s influence is gradually waning and that a new generation of voters is looking for alternative leadership at the national level.
Under these circumstances, Jagan may reconsider continuing his indirect support to the NDA government in general and Modi in particular in the long run. This could force him to prepare for changing political equations with the Congress.
This is where Mohan could play a crucial role in rebuilding ties with Jagan.
Though the YSRCP chief does not enjoy cordial relations with his sister Y S Sharmila, who is presently heading the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, sources say the Congress high command may not hesitate to make changes in the PCC if it sees political advantage in improving relations with Jagan.
