Overview
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved AICC observer teams with immediate effect for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal, ahead of polls expected March–May 2026.
- Assam will be overseen by D K Shivakumar, Bhupesh Baghel and Bandhu Tirkey, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been named chair of the state’s screening committee as a new opposition alliance readies to contest the BJP-led government.
- Kerala’s team comprises Sachin Pilot, K J George, Imran Pratapgarhi and Kanhaiya Kumar, reflecting a high-profile push to rebuild state-level strength.
- Mukul Wasnik, Uttam Kumar Reddy and Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin will supervise preparations in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, focusing on organisational readiness and alliance coordination.
- West Bengal will be handled by Sudip Roy Barman, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Prakash Joshi, with some reports noting the slate lacks heavyweight leaders.