The grand old party will try and force BJP to play on its political pitch.
New Delhi
After a resounding victory in Karnataka, the Congress will now focus on local issues and soft Hindutva to take on BJP in the poll-bound states. The party will avoid targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently. As per the strategy, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi will speak about local issues during his rallies. He will hold only limited rallies. He will also target the Centre. At the same time, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will continue to adopt a “soft Hindutva” approach. She will continue to visit religious places. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also focus on guarantees and local issues. Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge will tour states only when the poll campaigning peaks. He will continue to target PM Modi. He was quite active in Karnataka as it was his home state. But in other states, his rallies will be limited. Results show that Congress’ strategy in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh worked wonders. BJP’s strategy to push Congress on the back-foot by targeting Rahul Gandhi came a cropper. Congress has set its own political narrative and is trying to trap the BJP accordingly. However, at one point of time, the Congress was a bit nervous over the Bajrang Bali issue in Karnataka. But somehow the issue died down well before the voting. However, Congress wants to continue its “soft Hindutva” politics in poll-bound states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot never forgets to visit religious places in the state. Similarly, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel is focusing on religious programmes. Congress’ CM candidate in MP, Kamal Nath has been organising puja for Bajrang Bali for a long time.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched her poll campaign in MP, observing Hindu customs and rituals. Before addressing a rally, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered prayers and puja at the bank of Narmada (Gwarighat) in Jabalpur on 12 June. She sought to send out a message that Congress does not believe in politics of appeasement as is being alleged by the BJP. An idol of Lord Hanuman was visible at the ghat where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered prayers and performed aarti. Kamal Nath and Vivek Tankha, who is an influential leader in Jabalpur, made it a point to ensure all this so as to strengthen the message of soft Hindutva. In other words, Priyanka’s rally in Jabalpur revolved around the Hindutva theme. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra started her speech chanting “Har Har Narmade”.
She then launched a massive attack at the state government and the BJP. She also took a veiled dig at BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia who left Congress in 2020. She referred to the Rajasthan model of governance, promising implementation of the same in MP if Congress comes to power. Schemes like OPS, free power, cheap gas cylinders (Rs 500 per cylinder), financial aid to women, etc. were announced by her.
She has set the agenda for MP in her first rally. According to reports, BJP is not comfortable in MP. Day by day, support for Congress is said to be swelling. Baijnath Singh, who left Congress during the 2020 rebellion led by Scindia, joined the grand old party again. A 400-car cavalcade from Shivpuri to Bhopal marked the return of Singh to the Congress.
However, the saffron party has not yet revealed its strategy as of now. In all the three states going to polls in November this year, the BJP is facing infighting. Moreover, the party does not have heavyweights at the local level. So, the saffron party is relying on PM Modi. The parliamentary polls would be a more challenging task for BJP if it loses in these three states.