Cong may field veterans in LS polls

Congress, which has performed worst in the last two Lok Sabha elections, is in no mood to take any risk in the 2024 general elections. The party high command is considering this election as a one-and-done. In such a situation, the party is preparing to field its senior leaders in the elections. A final decision on this can be taken in the meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress to be held on March 7.

In fact, to save the existence of Congress, which has been out of power at the Center for 10 years, it is necessary to perform well in the Lok Sabha elections. In such a situation, veteran leaders of the party can contest the Lok Sabha elections in the Hindi heartland including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Delhi and some other states. Party President Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi have asked all senior leaders in the meetings of different state units to be ready for the elections. Some national general secretaries, CWC members, former CMs and state presidents may be asked to contest the elections.

Party strategists believe that Congress is out of power in most of the states. If veteran leaders are fielded in the elections, its impact will be visible on the morale of the workers and the party will fight unitedly. Also, changing the equation of nearby seats will also be beneficial.

This time the situation is different compared to the last elections. In 2019, Congress was in government in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Among these, Congress's majority in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh was on the margin. At the same time, veteran leaders had refused to contest the Lok Sabha elections due to their resignation as ministers after the defeat. This time Congress is in opposition. Even if a veteran leader loses the election, his position will not be much affected.

Congress may field party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Ashok Gehlot, former CM of Rajasthan, who had won six Lok Sabha elections from Jodhpur from 1980 to 1998. In the last election, his son Vaibhav Gehlot was defeated by a huge margin. This time, if he himself becomes a candidate from Jodhpur, it may affect Jalore, Pali, Barmer seats.

Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel may be fielded from Rajnandgaon. The screening committee has discussed his name. Besides Sachin Pilot, General Secretary can be a candidate from Sawai Madhopur. This may affect nearby Ajmer, Dausa, Dholpur-Karauli seats.