New Delhi: The Assembly elections in Kerala has become a make-or-break battle for the Congress party, especially for Rahul Gandhi.
As Kerala has gone under polls, on Tuesday, it is a state where Congress is desperate to avoid loss as it may decide the road ahead for the grand old party even at the national level in its fight against the top rival.
The message was clearly portrayed in Congress President Sonia Gandhi's statement, which was released on the eve of Assembly polls.
She categorically mentioned in her statement that the people of Kerala would vote for the United Democratic Front (UDF), which will strengthen the Congress party nationally.
"By voting for the UDF in Kerala, you will also be voting to strengthen the Congress party nationally. Congress can confront the divisive forces who are damaging and destroying all that India has stood for and represented for twenty centuries and more," stated the Congress President.
While speaking to ETV Bharat over the matter, Congress General Secretary and in-charge of Kerala, Tariq Anwar said, "What Sonia Gandhi has said in her message is absolutely correct. The entire country is right now looking at the elections of Kerala as it is believed that if Congress will come to power in that state then it will surely benefit the party at the national level."
The Congress' fortune is all dependent on Kerala and Assam, which is being quite reflective by the allocation of full energies of the party's top brass in their simultaneous election campaigns.
Not just in Hindi-heartland states, but also in other states like Odisha, Telangana and now in West Bengal, Congress has given the Opposition space to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Therefore, a victory in Kerala can give momentum to Congress.
Also Read: Kerala Polls: Sonia Gandhi urges people to defeat divisive forces
It will also give a sense of confidence to Rahul's idea of Congress who has made some experiments in all segments from candidates to campaign strategy, for these Assembly elections.
"Even we (Congress) think that Kerala Assembly elections are going to be very crucial for the party and we are also confident that the UDF will form the government in the state," Anwar said.
A win in Kerala is also a matter of prestige for Rahul Gandhi as he is a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad. Therefore, the state holds its own significance for Gandhi.
Congress chances of coming back into power are the brightest in Kerala and Assam.
The party has campaigned extensively in these states. In view of his popularity, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was given the responsibility to interact with each and every section to know about their problems, based on which Congress prepared its manifesto.
The move has made a strong impact on the ground which further improved by the campaigning of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
Also Read: Kerala Polls: Prominent candidates fully confident; cast votes with families
When asked about the party's expectations, Anwar said, "Kerala had Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for the last 5 years. Due to the scams and scandals during the period, including the Gold mining case for which even the Chief Minister Office has come under suspicion, people are disappointed with this government."
"In addition to this, the LDF has completely failed to fulfil its promises which they made during the last elections. Now they are demanding one more tenure to provide better facilities to Kerala in terms of health, education and development. But the people of Kerala have realized that the LDF government hadn't done anything for the state," he added.
The Congress leader further claimed, "We are fully confident and we believe that the UDF is going to form the government in Kerala. It is because people have taken our manifesto very seriously. Also, Election campaigning done by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi has made a strong impact on the state of Kerala."
May 2 will be a crucial day for the Congress party for its internal matters as well. The party's presidential elections scheduled in the same month will witness a strong impact of these Assembly polls. Whether Rahul Gandhi will stay in that fight or he would have to opt out, the results of these states are going to decide.
Also Read: Kerala assembly election becomes a do-or-die battle for every political parties
