Top News

Congress : The Indian National Congress has intensified its political preparations in Assam as part of a broader strategy for the upcoming state assembly elections. After a high-level strategy discussion in New Delhi, the party leadership has decided to move swiftly to the grassroots, focusing on organisational strength, coordinated messaging, and voter outreach. The plan reflects the party’s intent to regain political ground in states where it has remained out of power in recent years.

Strategic Meeting With Central Leadership

A key meeting was held in New Delhi at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge, bringing together senior leaders and observers to finalise the campaign roadmap for Assam. The discussions included detailed assessments of the political environment, organisational readiness, and messaging priorities. The presence of Rahul Gandhi underscored the importance the party is placing on the Assam elections as part of its national revival strategy.

Campaign Roadmap and Timeline

Following the meeting, senior observer Bhupesh Baghel outlined a clear timeline for action. The Congress will begin its campaign push with a press conference in Guwahati on January 20. From January 21 to January 28, the party plans to conduct a series of organisational and grassroots-level meetings across Assam. These meetings are intended to energise party workers, strengthen booth-level structures, and ensure consistent communication with voters.

Role of Senior Observers and State Leaders

Along with Baghel, senior observers DK Shivakumar and Bandhu Tirkey are playing an active role in guiding the state unit. The meeting also included KC Venugopal, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, and AICC general secretary in-charge Jitendra Singh. Their collective involvement highlights a coordinated approach between the central and state leadership.

Aggressive Stand Against the State Government

During interactions with the media, Baghel made it clear that the party has decided to directly challenge the ruling dispensation in Assam. He accused the current administration, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, of widespread corruption and misgovernance. According to him, the Congress intends to frame the election narrative around accountability, transparency, and the protection of Assam’s economic and social interests.

Unity and Ground-Level Feedback

Observer DK Shivakumar emphasised party unity and shared optimism based on feedback from the ground. He stated that Congress leaders have conveyed the real situation in Assam to the central leadership and expressed confidence about political change. According to him, the party is determined to avoid divisive politics and focus instead on clear, people-centric messaging. This unified stance is being projected as a key strength against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Impact of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s Involvement

Congress leaders also pointed to the positive influence of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who recently served as the chairperson of the Assam Congress screening committee. Her engagement with party workers and candidates is seen as a morale booster for the organisation. Leaders believe her rapport with grassroots workers will help strengthen internal coordination and candidate selection.

Broader Electoral Context and Assam Focus

The Congress is seeking to return to power in Assam after remaining out of office for two consecutive terms. The elections to the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly are expected to be held in the coming months, alongside polls in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal. Senior leader Debabrata Saikia also participated in the strategic discussions, reflecting the importance of legislative coordination.

Preparations for West Bengal Elections

In parallel with Assam, the party is also sharpening its focus on West Bengal. The Congress leadership is expected to meet senior leaders from the state to review election preparedness and discuss alliance possibilities. Leaders such as Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Subhankar Sarkar are likely to be part of these deliberations with Mallikarjun Kharge.

Screening Committees and Observer Appointments

Sources indicate that meetings of the party’s screening committees and political action committees will be held in Kolkata. Senior observers Sudip Roy Burman, Shakeel Ahmad Khan, and Prakash Joshi have been appointed to oversee the West Bengal Assembly elections. These steps reflect a structured and methodical approach to candidate selection and campaign management.

Learning From Past Election Outcomes

In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress secured a decisive victory, winning 213 of the 294 seats. The Congress, despite contesting a significant number of constituencies, failed to win a single seat and recorded a modest vote share. Party leaders now appear keen to learn from past shortcomings and rebuild organisational credibility through sustained grassroots engagement.