K C Venugopal: Congress’ new crisis manager

The Congress party slipped into a crisis last week after a dozen members of the Karnataka legislative assembly (MLAs) from its ruling coalition with Janata Dal (Secular) or JDS resigned threatening the stability of the state government. Some of the Congress’ top leaders from the state are on the ground to handle the situation and one of its key crisis managers is general secretary in charge of the state, K C Venugopal.

Later this month, Venugopal will complete six months in office in the post of general secretary in charge of party organisation. Handpicked by Rahul Gandhi, Venugopal was elevated to the party post soon after he delivered in the assembly elections in Karnataka. Nearly six months later he finds himself fighting yet another crisis in the state.

According to senior party leaders, Venugopal is one of the most trusted lieutenants of the Gandhi family and has been a key link between the central leadership and the state satraps in the ongoing Karnataka crisis.

“He has been part of almost all the significant meetings that are taking place in Bengaluru at this point. He plays an important role not just by virtue of being in charge of the state but also because in the view of Rahul Gandhi’s resignation, Venugopal spells the official line to partymen in Karnataka,” a senior Congress leader from the state said requesting anonymity.

With Gandhi being elected from the Wayanad parliamentary seat in Kerala and the renewed southern push by the Congress, the role of Venugopal, who belongs to Kerala, is likely to become more significant in the coming days.

After Gandhi announced his resignation, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) is now expected to meet soon to look for his successor. Venugopal is part of the senior leadership, which includes party treasurer Ahmed Patel and former union minister A K Antony, who have held informal discussions on naming an interim party chief.

Interestingly, senior leaders point out how Venugopal’s post of general secretary, organisation, too has had its share of recent history attached to it. “Till last year, Janardan Dwivedi held the post for a very long time and he was replaced by Ashok Gehlot rather suddenly. As the Rajasthan chief minister Gehlot has his own share of problems and now that Venugopal is in his place, the list of political crises to deal with has been endless,” another senior party functionary said requesting anonymity.