New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi skipped the Himachal Pradesh campaign as he is leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra but the party managers are exploring the opportunity of him leading rallies in Gujarat to counter the perception that the former party chief is neglecting the western state.
“Rahul Gandhi will address rallies in Gujarat. The dates are being worked out,” AICC secretary in charge of Gujarat BM Sandeep Kumar told ETV Bharat.
According to sources, Gandhi may address at least one rally each for both the phases of polling on Dec 1 and 5, and he may even address two rallies a day if needed, adding that the rallies would likely be planned after November 20, when the campaigning would be at its peak.
“Rahul’s yatra is attracting a lot of public attention and generating goodwill for the party. It would be good to use this sentiment for gains in Gujarat," said a senior AICC functionary.
The Gujarat polls are significant because it is the home state of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who are investing huge resources and energy to save the government of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
The BJP has been in power in the western state for 27 years and is facing a huge anti-incumbency, which has made Congress bet big on the assembly polls.
According to party insiders, if the BJP loses Gujarat, the results could set a negative trend for it ahead of the 2024 General polls. If the Congress wins, it will provide a major boost to the grand old party’s pitch for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they said.
Also read:Congress releases party manifesto for Gujarat Assembly Polls 2022