Congress Unites for Rajasthan Elections: Strategy Meeting Emphasizes Unity and Positive Campaign
Rajasthan Election Preparations: Congress Leaders Address Party Unity and Poll Strategy
06-07-2023 : In preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge conducted a strategy meeting with leaders from the state. The primary focus of the meeting was to project a united front of the local party unit. The meeting was attended by prominent leaders including former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, AICC in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and his former deputy Sachin Pilot.
Chief Minister Gehlot, who recently sustained a foot injury, joined the meeting virtually via Zoom. A total of 29 state leaders participated in the four-hour-long discussion. Following the meeting, Venugopal addressed the media and emphasized the unanimous agreement among state leaders to approach the elections with unity. He acknowledged past differences but stated that all problematic issues have been resolved, referring to the power struggle between Gehlot and Pilot.
Venugopal also emphasized the need for leaders to refrain from publicly airing internal party and government issues. He made it clear that any violation of discipline and speaking outside the designated party forum would be dealt with firmly. When asked about the possibility of a chief ministerial face for the elections, he stated that the party has a good government and does not typically announce a CM face.
Regarding the demands raised by Pilot, including the issue of paper leaks and alleged corruption during the Vasundhara Raje government, Venugopal highlighted the Gehlot government’s actions. He mentioned changes in appointment norms for the Rajasthan Public Service Commission and proposed amendments to enhance punishment for paper leaks from ten years to life imprisonment.
During the meeting, it was decided that the party would launch a positive campaign based on the government’s schemes and achievements. The leaders also planned to engage with the people over the next 90 days to gather inputs for the party’s election manifesto. The selection of candidates would be made in September based on surveys and their winnability.
Pilot, speaking to reporters after the meeting, expressed satisfaction that the party had taken his concerns into account, specifically regarding the paper leak issue and corruption during Vasundhara Raje’s tenure. He believed that the government was taking these issues seriously and would take appropriate action. Pilot expressed confidence in the Congress party’s ability to retain power in the state and stated that party workers and leaders would bring the government’s achievements to every household.
Regarding his role in the upcoming elections, Pilot affirmed his commitment to fulfilling any role assigned to him by the Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, and the AICC, as he has done for the past 20 years.
