Kanhaiya Kumar, Jignesh Mevani set to join Congress as party eyes revamp

Former JNUSU president and CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Gujarat Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani are likely to join the Congress today, reports said.

The two youth leader will reportedly join the party in the presence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

Kumar had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Begusarai in Bihar on the CPI ticket against Giriraj Singh of the BJP.

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Mevani is currently an independent legislator in Gujarat and represents the Vadgam constituency. He is the convener of the Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch.

It is, however, not clear if the new entrants would be given a national role or would be asked to focus on their respective States.

While Kanhaiya Kumar met Rahul Gandhi earlier this month, Mevani has been in touch with the leadership. In last Gujarat elections, Congress had withdrawn its candidate from Vadgam in Mevani's support.

The Congress is looking at a revamp with the induction of youth leaders. There is also buzz around election strategist Prashant Kishor joining the party and help strategise ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.