In a key organisational change ahead of the upcoming elections, the Congress has appointed Ganesh Godiyal as the new president of its Uttarakhand unit. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, replacing Karan Mahara, who has now been inducted as a special invitee to the Congress Working Committee (CWC).
Our correspondent reports that the decision marks a significant reshuffle in the party’s Uttarakhand leadership, aimed at strengthening the organisation’s presence across the hill state. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) issued an official statement confirming Godiyal’s appointment and expressed appreciation for Mahara’s contributions during his tenure as state unit chief.
The party’s reorganisation also includes the formation of two key panels — the Campaign Committee and the Election Management Committee — for the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee. Pritam Singh, a senior Congress leader and former state party chief, has been appointed as the chairperson of the Campaign Committee, while Harak Singh Rawat, a prominent face in state politics, has been named the chairman of the Election Management Committee.
Hon'ble Congress President has appointed Shri Ganesh Godiyal as the President of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/s2VPRum4cP
Our correspondent adds that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has also approved the appointment of District Congress Committee presidents across Uttarakhand to further strengthen the party’s local structure. The new appointments are seen as part of the Congress’s strategy to gear up for the next assembly elections and the Lok Sabha polls.
Ganesh Godiyal, who earlier served as the state party president in 2021–22, is known for his organisational skills and moderate leadership approach. He is expected to focus on unity within the party ranks and build a stronger connect with grassroots workers. Party insiders believe his return to the helm indicates the central leadership’s attempt to balance regional representation and electoral strategy.
Our correspondent reports that Godiyal, a senior Congress leader from Pauri Garhwal, has also served as a former MLA and is considered close to the central leadership. His appointment comes at a time when the Congress is seeking to revitalise its presence in Uttarakhand after facing successive electoral setbacks.
Our correspondent adds that outgoing chief Karan Mahara’s inclusion in the Congress Working Committee has been viewed as a gesture of recognition for his long-standing service to the party. Senior leaders said the reshuffle aims to inject new energy into the organisation while retaining experienced leadership in key advisory roles.
Political observers believe that the Congress high command’s decision reflects a calibrated approach to preparing the state unit for electoral challenges and to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strong organisational hold in Uttarakhand.
The appointments have been welcomed by party workers across districts, who expressed confidence that the new leadership will reinvigorate the Congress’s campaign machinery ahead of the polls.
