Overview

• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge installed Rajendra Pal Gautam as chairman of its Scheduled Caste department, effective immediately.
• Gautam takes over from Rajesh Lilothia, whom the party commended for his tenure leading the SC unit.
• Gautam formally joined Congress in September 2024 after departing the Aam Aadmi Party due to discontent with its handling of Dalit concerns.
• He resigned as Delhi’s social welfare minister in October 2022 following controversy over his attendance at a religious conversion event where Hindu deities were allegedly denounced.
• His record as a Seemapuri MLA offers Congress an experienced advocate to deepen its engagement with Dalit communities, reflecting its focus on social justice.