Rahul Gandhi interacts with Cong’s ‘emerging’ leaders from Punjab, Himachal, J&K

Shimla: The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday attended the concluding session of a 10-day Congress training workshop for district presidents from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir at Gupt Ganga in Kangra.Gandhi arrived at Gaggal airport in the morning, where he was received by Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, before heading to the venue at Yatri Niwas. He spent six hours at the workshop, interacting with 62 "emerging leaders" and addressing them.Senior state leaders, including deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh and sports minister Yadvinder Goma, were present. The workshop was organised under the Congress' Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, aimed at strengthening the party's grassroots structure.Speaking to media, Sukhu said Gandhi focused on ideological differences between the Congress and the BJP. "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," Sukhu said.He added organisational reforms were already underway. "Earlier, district presidents were chosen on political recommendations. Now, selections are being made through structured panels," he said.Gandhi's visit also coincided with internal discussions on expanding women's representation. The All India Mahila Congress has been pushing for one-third reservation for women in legislatures and within the party structure, while accusing the BJP of delaying implementation.The training camp, leaders said, served as a platform for organisational dialogue and is expected to guide the party's strategy in the region ahead of upcoming political contests.