Congress eyes activists for year-end elections in MP, Chhattisgarh & Rajasthan

Buoyed by the success of Gujarat model, Congress is set to use the support of civil society organisations and social activists in election-bound Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

After extending electoral support to social activists and mass movement architects like Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor in Gujarat, Congress is working closely with grassroots civil society organisations in the three states that go to elections in November.

Congress general secretary incharge of Chhattisgarh PL Punia said, “We are actively seeking the support of social organisations that are working with tribals and other groups. In Chhattisgarh, these grassroots organisations have a lot of influence as they reach remote tribal villages, work extensively with tribals for their rights and hold a sway on them.” The first indication came last month when Congress president Rahul Gandhi shared dais with Ekta Parishad’s PV Rajagopalan during his visit to Bilaspur.


The party has also taken back in its fold Arvind Netam, a tribal leader it had suspended in June 2012. Netam’s Sarva Adivasi Samaj has been working for forest rights and livelihood for tribals.

Netam, who was brought in Congress’ fold after active intervention by Madhya Pradesh state unit president Kamal Nath, would also be working in tribal pockets of Madhya Pradesh.

While Congress leadership is openly sharing dais with social organisations in MP and Chhattisgarh, it is treading carefully in Rajasthan where it is poaching other party MLAs for direct political expansion.

Rajasthan state Congress president Sachin Pilot told ET, “Even though we would be seeking cooperation from social organisations, NGOs, advocacy groups and farmers associations, our efforts have been towards concentrating on building and strengthening our organisational structure in Rajasthan. We are confident we can fight the elections in November on our own organisational strength. MLAs from other parties have joined us in the last two years. We would be open to more of such political support on a case by case basis.”

In Gujarat, Congress had supported Patel, Mevani and Thakor openly and depended on their support base.