These states have many parallels. In Kerala, state unit president Ramesh Chennithala, an aspirant for the deputy chief minister's post, was inducted into the cabinet and given the key home portfolio. In Rajasthan, party state chief CP Joshi, tipped to be the CM, lost by a single vote in the 2008 assembly elections. The Congress wrested power from the BJP and Ashok Gehlot, CLP leader, became CM. But the Congress did not utilize the opportunity to consolidate its base and lost to the BJP again in 2013.
With the BJP national leadership setting its eyes on Karnataka to recapture power and make it the base to expand into other southern states, the Congress high command is said to be waking up to the fact that its sole bastion could also slip away if remedial measures are not taken. The first makeover for the party will be a new KPCC chief, when incumbent G Parameshwara is inducted into the cabinet.
Sources said the deputy CM's post is ruled out for Parameshwara, as it would pave the way for two power centres and groupism. "He will be given the home portfolio, as was done in Kerala. This will also silence the BJP, which has been gunning for current home minister KJ George,'' they said.
The brief for the new president is clear: Cultivate constituencies held by the opposition and work for a 2018 victory. The Congress won 122 seats in the 2013 assembly polls, the BJP-JD(S) and other fringe opposition parties together bagged 102 seats. The party president will have to identify 60 constituencies from among these and work on them.
While any decision on restructuring the cabinet and appointing a new KPCC chief will be taken after AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi's return, sources said three options have been discussed. The first, have a senior Congress leader from Karnataka, based in New Delhi, heading the party; second, appoint a Lingayat man, which CM Siddaramaiah is reportedly keen on; third, go for a youngster.
"The Congress cannot sit back and wake up in 2018, when elections are due. The president must be a person who has a good working relationship with the CM, is accessible to party workers and fast on the uptake against the BJP-JD(S),'' sources said.
Among the seniors, names being mentioned are AICC functionaries Oscar Fernandes and B K Hariprasad and former CM M Veerappa Moily. Fernandes candidature, who was KPCC president for two terms is being pushed by opposition leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun M Kharge. Hariprasad has the backing of AICC chief Sonia Gandhi's confidante Ahmed Patel as well of Rahul, while Moily is close to Rahul.
If the party prefers to have an youngster, the choice is said to be between ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao and Krishna Byregowda, both former youth Congress state presidents. Hariprasad, Rao and Byregowda belong to the legion where they can network with the rank and file.
If the party goes with Siddaramaiah it would be ministers S R Patil or M B Patil or MP Prakash B Hukkeri.
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