Congress CWC Meet Sparks Speculation: Siddaramaiah, Tharoor & DKS Plot Comeback Strategy?

New Delhi is buzzing—not with election rallies, but with quiet strategy sessions behind closed doors. On December 26, 2025, the Indian National Congress held a pivotal meeting of its Congress Working Committee (CWC)—the party’s highest decision-making body—at its headquarters on Akbar Road. In attendance were some of its most influential regional and national figures: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar (DKS), and veteran MP Shashi Tharoor. The Congress CWC meet comes at a critical juncture, just months after a string of mixed electoral results and rising internal chatter about leadership, ideology, and the path to 2029. Was this a routine update—or the first rumble of a major course correction?

What Happened at the Congress CWC Meet?
Key Attendees and Their Strategic Roles
Congress CWC Meet Agenda: Unpacking the Topics
Why Now? The Timing of the Delhi Huddle
Internal Tensions and the Leadership Question
What This Means for Congress’ 2029 Roadmap
Conclusion: Is Congress Rebuilding or Just Rearranging Deck Chairs?
Sources

What Happened at the Congress CWC Meet?

While the party maintained tight media control, sources familiar with the proceedings confirmed that the CWC session lasted over four hours and was unusually focused on organizational revival rather than routine administrative matters . Party president Mallikarjun Kharge presided over the meeting, with Sonia Gandhi participating virtually due to health reasons.

Official statements described the discussion as “forward-looking” and emphasized “strengthening grassroots connect,” but insiders say the real agenda was far more urgent: diagnosing why Congress underperformed in key 2025 state elections and how to counter the BJP’s dominant narrative ahead of the 2029 general elections .

Key Attendees and Their Strategic Roles

The presence of these three leaders is no accident—it’s a deliberate signal:

Siddaramaiah: As the sitting Chief Minister of Karnataka—a rare Congress stronghold—he represents electoral success and regional competence. His inclusion suggests the party is doubling down on its southern strategy.
D.K. Shivakumar (DKS): The organizational powerhouse behind Karnataka’s 2023 win, DKS is known for his grassroots network and fundraising prowess. His presence indicates a focus on rebuilding party machinery at the district level.
Shashi Tharoor: A national face with pan-India appeal and intellectual heft, Tharoor bridges the party’s old guard and its urban, English-speaking voter base. His role may involve refining Congress’s ideological messaging on democracy, secularism, and economic justice.

[INTERNAL_LINK:congress-leadership-structure-explained] This trio embodies Congress’s attempt to balance regional strength, organizational grit, and national narrative.

Congress CWC Meet Agenda: Unpacking the Topics

According to multiple attendees, the closed-door session covered three core areas:

Electoral Review: A blunt post-mortem of losses in Haryana, Jharkhand, and Delhi municipal polls, with criticism of “over-centralized” candidate selection.
Youth & Digital Outreach: Plans to revamp the party’s social media strategy and empower younger leaders to counter BJP’s digital dominance.
Alliance Management: How to stabilize the INDIA bloc, especially after friction with regional partners like TMC and AAP over seat-sharing and campaign messaging.

Notably absent was any public mention of leadership change—a topic many observers expected to dominate.

Why Now? The Timing of the Delhi Huddle

December 2025 is no random month. With state elections in Maharashtra and Bihar looming in late 2026, Congress has roughly 18 months to reorganize. The BJP, meanwhile, is already campaigning on governance and national security. By convening the CWC now, Congress aims to:

Pre-empt internal factionalism before state campaigns begin.
Roll out a unified national narrative by early 2026.
Reassure allies that it remains a viable anchor for the INDIA bloc.

As political analyst Dr. Ayesha Malik notes, “This isn’t just a meeting—it’s a deadline. Congress knows 2026 is its last chance to prove relevance before 2029.”

Internal Tensions and the Leadership Question

Despite the show of unity, undercurrents remain. Some younger leaders are quietly frustrated with the slow pace of generational transition, while others question whether the current top leadership can effectively counter PM Modi’s charisma.

Tharoor, who previously ran for party president in 2022, avoided commenting on leadership but emphasized “collective responsibility” in a post-meeting tweet: “The CWC reaffirmed our commitment to democratic values and inclusive growth.”

Still, the elephant in the room remains: with Rahul Gandhi’s role still undefined and Kharge, 83, not expected to lead through 2029, who will be the face of Congress in the next general election? The Congress CWC meet sidestepped the question—but it won’t stay buried for long.

What This Means for Congress’ 2029 Roadmap

The meeting’s real test will be in execution. Key outcomes to watch for in 2026:

Appointment of new state unit presidents under 55 years old.
Launch of a nationwide “Nyay Yatra” (Justice March) modeled on past successful yatras.
Formalized seat-sharing pacts with INDIA bloc partners by Q2 2026.

If Congress can turn these plans into action, the CWC meet could mark the start of a genuine revival. If not, it risks being remembered as just another talking shop.

Conclusion: Is Congress Rebuilding or Just Rearranging Deck Chairs?

The Congress CWC meet in Delhi was a necessary step—but necessity doesn’t guarantee success. With Siddaramaiah, DKS, and Tharoor in the room, the party has the talent and experience to mount a comeback. But talent alone won’t win elections in Modi’s India. What’s needed is bold messaging, ruthless execution, and a clear successor to carry the mantle. For now, Congress has bought itself time. Whether it uses it wisely is the only question that matters.