Cong to replicate Assembly poll strategies in LS elections

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: In a bid to secure a formidable victory in the impending Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party is closely studying and contemplating strategies that proved successful in the recently concluded Assembly polls.

The party’s renewed focus on adopting winning tactics comes as it sets its sights on a significant target of winning 20 to 25 out of the total 28 parliamentary seats in Karnataka.

The gravity of the coming parliamentary elections is underscored by the seriousness with which the Congress party is approaching this political battle.

The party’s high command has issued a directive to secure a substantial share of seats, reflecting their commitment to re-establishing their political prominence in the region.

A noteworthy aspect of the Congress party’s strategy is its method of candidate selection. During the assembly polls, the party meticulously collected opinions from every block in each assembly constituency before finalising their candidate choices.

Building on this approach, the Congress is once again embracing an inclusive method by seeking input from block and district units. This process aims to identify and field strong candidates who resonate with the diverse sentiments of the electorate.

Parallel to the ruling BJP, the Congress party has had to introduce new faces in certain constituencies due to various reasons. Instances such as Mallikarjun Kharge’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha after his loss in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and the untimely passing of former MP Dhruva Narayana in Chamarajanagar, have compelled the party to adapt its roster.

This scenario is mirrored in Mandya as well. An aspect that significantly contributed to the Congress party’s success in the assembly polls was the early selection of candidates.

By identifying and endorsing their candidates ahead of time, the party secured an impressive 136 seats in the Assembly elections. In line with this achievement, the Congress is keen on replicating this approach in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to meet the ambitious target set forth by Rahul Gandhi.

With a relatively small number of 28 seats to contend for, the selection of candidates poses a manageable challenge for the Congress. The party’s intensified focus on the state of Karnataka can be attributed to its strategic role in the larger goal of unseating the BJP-led NDA government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress party, despite facing challenges in various regions, continues to stand strong in Karnataka, making it a crucial battleground in their quest for political resurgence.

To orchestrate this political resurgence and meet the target of securing at least 20 seats, the Congress high command has committed to deploying a seasoned team to chart out a winning strategy.

Congress National General Secretary and the party’s in-charge of Karnataka affairs, Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with his team, will lead the charge in formulating and executing a comprehensive strategy that leverages the party’s strengths and addresses its weaknesses.

In total, the Congress party’s contemplation of replicating the successful strategies employed in the recent Assembly polls reflects its determined approach to securing a substantial victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

By placing a significant emphasis on candidate selection and leveraging the party’s foothold in Karnataka, the Congress aims to make a robust comeback on the national political stage.

The task is arduous, but with meticulous planning and the guidance of experienced leaders, the Congress party is poised to give a tough competition to the weakened BJP.