New Delhi, January 5, 2026 – A fresh political controversy has erupted in Indian politics following the Congress party’s appointment of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as chairperson of the candidate screening committee for the upcoming 2026 Assam Assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack, alleging that Rahul Gandhi deliberately orchestrated the move to undermine his sister’s rising prominence within the party by assigning her a “near-impossible” task in a state where the Congress has slim chances of victory.
The appointment was announced on January 3 by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, as part of forming screening committees for several poll-bound states, including Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal. Priyanka Gandhi, a first-time MP from Wayanad and AICC general secretary, will lead the Assam panel alongside members Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Imran Masood, and Sirivella Prasad.
BJP leaders wasted no time in framing the decision as evidence of internal sibling rivalry. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Rahul Gandhi has set Priyanka Vadra up for failure. By ensuring Priyanka Vadra’s appointment as Chairperson of the Assam Congress screening committee, Rahul Gandhi has handed her a near-impossible task. The Congress knows it has little to no electoral chance in Assam, yet this appointment conveniently shifts responsibility for an inevitable defeat.”
Malviya further claimed the move reflects “insecurity within the Rahul camp” amid growing calls from some Congress quarters for Priyanka to take a larger leadership role. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed this, stating that a long-standing “Rahul vs Priyanka camp” rivalry influenced the decision, with pressure to “remove Rahul, get Priyanka.”
NDA allies also joined the criticism. JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar linked the appointment to Rahul Gandhi’s reported absence abroad, while Bihar Industries Minister Dilip Jaiswal questioned the Congress’s reliance on the Gandhi family, contrasting it with the BJP’s merit-based promotions.
Assam remains a challenging terrain for the Congress. The BJP-led NDA has dominated the state since 2016, winning 75 seats in the 126-member assembly in the last elections, while the Congress-led alliance secured 50. Political analysts note the Congress’s weakened organisational presence, making a comeback difficult despite alliances with opposition parties.
The Congress swiftly rejected the BJP’s allegations as “manufactured propaganda” aimed at sowing division. Senior leader Tariq Anwar emphasised that Priyanka has previously handled similar roles, including as an ex-officio member of the screening committee during Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. “This is not the first time she has been entrusted with such responsibilities. The notion propagated by the BJP is incorrect,” Anwar said.
Congress MP Udit Raj defended the appointment, highlighting Priyanka’s “wide influence and experience,” and asserted that the BJP has no business interfering in the party’s internal matters. Party spokespersons described the move as a routine organisational step to strengthen preparations in a politically sensitive northeastern state, reflecting confidence in Priyanka’s capabilities rather than any power struggle.
Within the Congress, the appointment is viewed as elevating national leadership visibility in Assam, where deputy leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi serves as state president. Priyanka’s recent prominence in Parliament, leading protests during the Winter Session in Rahul’s absence, has fuelled discussions about her expanded role.
As the 2026 elections approach—expected in March-April—the controversy underscores the ongoing narrative battles between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. While the BJP seeks to exploit perceived family dynamics and electoral weaknesses, the Congress insists on unity and strategic preparedness. The real test, however, will come at the ballot box in Assam.
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