Dharamshala: Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi on April 30, 2026, called for organisational reforms and stronger grassroots engagement while addressing a 10-day training workshop for District Presidents of three states in Dharamshala.

The workshop, held under the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, aimed to strengthen the Party’s grassroots structure and was attended by 62 office-bearers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting ideological differences with the BJP, Shri Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress stands for unity, integrity and inclusiveness, and urged leaders to focus on public service and increase engagement with people.

He said that dedicated district-level workers could rise to higher positions, including the Rajya Sabha, and stressed the need for organisational changes to adapt to the evolving political landscape. Taking aim at factionalism within the Party, Shri Rahul Gandhi stressed that leaders must avoid aligning with specific groups and instead focus on addressing public concerns. He underlined that symbolic programmes are not enough, urging Party workers to actively take to the streets to fight for the rights of Dalits, the poor, and women.

Speaking at the concluding session of the training camp, he emphasized the need for introspection after every election and called on District Presidents to strengthen their connection with the public rather than revolving around senior leaders. He also asked them to provide honest and unbiased feedback to the Party high command.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and said that the Congress government is working towards making the state economically strong.

“He told District Presidents that Congress stood for unity, while the BJP promoted division. The Party’s ideology is rooted in service, not comfort, and must be driven by public interest rather than politics,” he said and added organizational reforms were already underway. “Earlier, District Presidents were chosen on political recommendations. Now, selections are being made through structured panels,” he said.

The workshop also included discussions on organisational issues, policy challenges and grassroots outreach. Sessions were led by the In-charge, AICC Training Department Shri Sachin Rao, with participants engaging with beneficiaries of the MGNREGA scheme and farmers.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, AICC In-charge for Himachal Pradesh Smt. Rajni Patil, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Shri Vinay Kumar, Senior leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri were also present at the workshop.

Family members of some District Presidents also attended the final day of the programme, where Shri Rahul Gandhi met them as well, adding a personal touch to the event.