New Delhi: The Congress campaign for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections is set to pick up pace, with party MP and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expected to address a public meeting in Seelampur on Jan 13.
In the coming days, chief ministers of Congress-governed states, including Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, are also expected to visit the capital to garner support for party candidates.
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav on Thursday dismissed concerns about the central leadership’s involvement in election campaigns, pointing out that active participation of senior leaders in press conferences indicated “positive party dynamics”.
“Seniors like Jharkhand panchayati raj minister Dipika Pandey Singh and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot have already addressed press conferences, and others will join us soon at the direction of the central leadership. There is no resentment or lack of consensus on any issue,” he said.
Dismissing claims that the party high command was against targeting AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal personally, Yadav said Congress will “contest strongly” against AAP and BJP. “Our outdoor campaign materials clearly demonstrate our electoral position, which centres on delivering improved infrastructure and living standards for Delhi’s residents,” he added.
Congress and AAP are members of the INDIA bloc and had a pre-poll alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. Both the parties had drawn a blank, with all seven seats going to BJP.
Congress functionaries said the Nyay Yatra exceeded expectations, methodically covering all 70 constituencies and helping identify crucial public concerns that were subsequently incorporated into electoral “guarantees” if the party won.
“The Nyay Yatra was flagged off by Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. Many party seniors like Randeep Singh Surjewala and Ajay Maken, and others from states like Rajasthan and Uttarakhand participated,” said a Congress functionary.
Stressing that the party was “seriously committed” to the Delhi elections, the functionary said, “It is evident there will be a triangular competition, and AAP, which was trying to keep Congress away from the limelight, is unhappy. As for reports of INDIA bloc parties supporting AAP, no formal announcement has been made anywhere; it does not mean they are not supporting Congress.”
Congress, which previously held strong influence during Sheila Dikshit’s tenure, is seeking the support of its central leadership to restore its presence and public trust. It aims to rebuild its base by offering schemes similar to the ones implemented in Karnataka and Rajasthan.
After being in power for 15 consecutive years till 2013, Congress struggled to maintain its influence in Delhi, failing to secure any seat in two consecutive assembly elections.
For the upcoming polls, the party is focusing on strengthening its grassroots network and reconnecting with minority communities and slum-dwellers, who were historically its core supporters. Recently, it announced its two guarantees, including health cover up to Rs 25 lakh for every Delhiite and Rs 2,500 aid to all eligible women to empower them.
Courtesy : TOI
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