Contrary to expectations, Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to be appointed the Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh since party president Sonia Gandhi believes her son lacks the necessary political experience.
But this does not mean that other youngsters in the Congress party will not given responsibility. There are indications that Jyotiraditya Scindia, the late Madhavrao Scindia's son and two time MP from Guna in Madhya Pradesh, may be given charge of the politically and financially crucial state of Maharashtra which will go the polls in September.
For some time now, party veterans have been given subtle hints that they should make way for the younger generation. With a revamp of the All India Congress Committee imminent, speculation in Delhi revolves around who will be in and who will be out.
Sonia's long-term plan involves strengthening the party in UP where it has been in the wilderness for over a decade. State Congress president Jagdambika Pal resigned after the Congress party's unimpressive electoral performance in the Lok Sabha election and a search is on for a successor.
Party workers insist that Rahul, the MP from Amethi, take his place. But Sonia is keen that her son makes periodic visits to the state, study the political situation, gain experience and for now only help the local leadership formulate strategies aimed at rebuilding the Congress in UP.
Sources indicated that one of the names being considered for the post of state Congress president is Sanjay Singh, the former Amethi MP. He recently switched to the Congress from the Bharatiya Janata Party along with his wife, Ameeta Singh, who represents Amethi in the state assembly.
Singh, a Thakur, enjoys the backing of Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh who has been taking a keen interest in the affairs of the state.
Another name is that of All India Mahila Congress chief Rita Bahuguna, whose supporters want the party to give an opportunity to a woman.
Other aspirants include Salman Khursheed and Pramod Tewari.
Sources said the party chief's strategy is to appoint a pointman who could help Rahul learn the ropes and prepare him to effectively confront the Samajwadi Party on its home turf.
However, making a concession to the popular mood in the party, Sonia might accommodate her son in the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body.
Her immediate priority is Maharashtra where an assembly election is due in September.
There are indications that former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh may be appointed state party chief though Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde is not happy at the prospect. Sonia is unlikely to announce any decision without consulting relevant state and central leaders. Shinde recently called on her in Delhi to discuss a revamp of the party's state unit.
She is reportedly inclined to appoint Jyotiraditya Scindia as the party general secretary in charge of Maharashtra.
Scindia made a good impression during his short stint in the previous Lok Sabha. The party leadership believes a weighty responsibility like Maharashtra would be a good opportunity for him to cut his teeth in politics.
Other young MPs like Sachin Pilot (Dausa, Rajasthan), Milind Deora (Mumbai South, Maharashtra), Naveen Jindal (Kurukshetra, Haryana) and Jitin Prasad (Shahjahanpur, UP) will have to prove their mettle before being entrusted with party responsibilities.
Ahmed Patel will continue as Sonia's political secretary given the fact that he is her most trusted aide. Janardhan Dwivedi, the Congress chief's Hindi speechwriter, is also expected to retain his slot with the designation of party secretary.
The presence of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh in Delhi has fuelled speculation that he could bag a significant post in the Congress organisation. Singh, however, refuses to be drawn into the discussion.
Following the Congress defeat in the assembly election, he had vowed not to accept any position for 10 years. Sonia had, however, appointed him as general secretary in charge of Assam.
