The programme, designed as a capacity-building initiative, will have a syllabus focused on electioneering and boosting organisational efficiency.
Published Sep 26, 2024 | 6:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 26, 2024 | 6:00 PM
Indian National Congress Kerala. (Supplied)
In a quiet but strategic move, the Indian National Congress-Kerala prepares to turn its political machinery up a notch.
With elections – local body and Assembly – on the horizon, and a competitive political landscape to navigate, the party is turning to something rarely seen in its ranks – a structured crash course for office bearers.
Designed to equip party workers with the tools of modern electioneering, the initiative is not just a crash course in strategy, but a sign that the Congress is gearing up for a transformation.
Mid-October will see the launch of this ambitious programme, aimed at bringing a touch of professionalism to grassroots politics and revitalising the party’s connection with the electorate.
The programme, designed as a capacity-building initiative, will have a syllabus focused on electioneering and boosting organisational efficiency.
Although the party has kept the contents of the syllabus under wraps, insiders confirm that it centres on skills needed for effective election campaigns. The aim is to improve communication with the electorate.
The party hopes that much-needed discipline would return to its ranks with structured training and effective strategising.
M Liju, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) general secretary and organisation in-charge said the primary aim of this course is to enhance the capacity of party workers, bringing greater professionalism to political work.
“We are not organising study classes like the CPI(M). In this programme, we will focus on skill enhancement and awareness about the core values of the Congress party,” Liju told South First.
The syllabus, now in its final stages of development, is expected to cover a range of topics, from election strategy and grassroots mobilisation to honing leadership skills.
Understanding voter behaviour, effective techniques used in campaigning, and proper use of social media platforms in political work are all part of the course. Ground-level work and the setting of the narrative are all set to be included.
This will not be just a one-time event, but form part of a continuous learning process, one party insider said.
Congress leadership.
The Congress’s move comes at a time when other political parties, particularly the CPI(M), have been known for conducting rigorous study classes and ideological training programmes for their cadre.
Liju was quick to clarify that the Congress approach would be different. “We are not organising study classes like the CPI(M),” he said.
Others in the state unit of the party clarified that the Congress would focus on practical skills and professional development, rather than on ideological instruction alone.
While the CPI(M) and BJP traditionally invest in ideological training for members, the Congress strategy is based on the pragmatic, targeting improved electoral performance.
Party sources said the crash course would focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into electioneering. Political campaigns globally have been relying on data-driven strategies, and AI has emerged as a critical tool for voter analysis, trend prediction, and campaign efficiency.
The Congress programme is expected to provide classes on how AI can be utilised to enhance campaign efforts.
Party workers will be trained on how AI can be used to identify voter patterns, analyse social media sentiments, and craft personalised messages for different groups of voters.
“Understanding how to harness technology can give the Congress a significant edge over rivals, ensuring that its messaging reaches the right audience,” a party worker said.
If nothing else, the party is attempting to address organisational shortcomings through this course.
Party workers were at pains to point out that the effort is not aimed solely at winning elections. Fostering a sense of collective responsibility and dedication are all part of this programme.
Beyond traditional political work, the Congress hopes to create a professional cadre that can perform to standards expected by the general public.
A district Congress committee member told South First that the course was much needed. “Modern electioneering techniques, voter behavior and using AI – these could help us reach people we have not been able to include earlier. For Congress cadre, this is not merely about an election campaign but about getting to know the electorate and engaging with them at a deeper level.”
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
