Congress will adopt old poll strategy in Gujarat

NEW DELHI: Congress would go back to its time-tested age-old election strategy in poll-bound Gujarat, where it has been in Opposition for two decades. After humiliating electoral debacles in several states, the party is banking on grass-root connect with people, enthusing booth-level workers, alliance with like-minded parties and no outside help from political strategists to unseat the BJP.

The Congress would follow its old rule book. Following its party tradition, it would not project a chief ministerial face and fight the elections in a typical old style political contest. Speaking to ET, Congress general secretary in-charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot said, “We would follow our age-old strategy – we would not project a chief ministerial face. We would follow our policy of connecting with the voters through grass-root Congress workers at every booth.”

This would also mean not banking on any political strategist, especially Prashant Kishor. Gehlot said, “We are going completely local. That is what people want – our party leaders and workers.

There is no chance of involving any political strategist. Yes, if an NGO or social organisation wants to lend a hand in ending BJP’s misrule, they are welcome. PK has been involved in Gujarat, especially with BJP and Modi ji. If he says he made a mistake in doing so, he is more than welcome to help.” The Grand Old Party’s biggest challenge is to connect with the voters through a party organisation that is ridden with factionalism. The party is already identifying political issues to connect with the masses. “There is unemployment, widespread closure of industries, lack of investors and the farce of Vibrant Gujarat. There are many such issues which we would bring forth through our campaigns – social media, audio visual and print,” said the leader. Gehlot has his task cut out. The seasoned politician would be busy keeping his flock together.