Congress’s election strategy falters amid BJP’s high-octane push in J&K polls

Grand-old party struggles with manifesto delays, subdued campaign as top leaders skip first phase elections

Jammu: The Congress party’s election strategy in Jammu and Kashmir appears to be floundering owing to the delay in releasing their manifesto and lackluster campaigning efforts across the Jammu region where the party is contesting a majority of the 39 contested seats.
Barring top Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s single rally in the remote Gool area of Ramban district, the senior leaders of the party have given a miss to election campaigning in the region, despite their claims to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
The first phase of J&K Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on September 18 where a total of 24 assembly constituencies in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban of Jammu region, besides areas of Kashmir, will go for polling.
On August 31, the Congress released a list of 40 ‘star campaigners,’ including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for the first phase of the elections.
This is in complete contrast to the BJP’s aggressive campaign since the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election schedule for J&K Assembly polls on August 16.
The BJP’s star campaigners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and other senior leaders have already addressed rallies across Jammu region for the first phase of polling. Both the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, along with other senior cabinet members, are expected to address more election rallies in the region during the second and third phases of the elections.
“The delay in releasing the manifesto and the lack of aggressive campaigning have certainly hurt the morale of our party workers and candidates. The party virtually committed a blunder by agreeing to the National Conference’s demand to contest only 32 seats and five seats in a friendly contest. Moreover, the top leadership has given the least focus on intensifying the campaign in Jammu,” a senior party leader said declining to be identified.
“The BJP has set an ambitious target, aiming for over 50 seats in the Assembly elections. The party seeks to replicate its 2014 success when it won 25 out of 37 seats in the Jammu region. If the Congress continues with its lackluster and subdued campaigning with no agenda or manifesto, how can it hope to halt the BJP’s momentum? We need to ramp up our efforts to ensure we don’t fall behind,” the leader added.
When contacted, J&K Congress spokesperson dismissed the concerns about any dent to the morale of the party cadre and candidates due to the delays in the election manifesto and lack of high-profile appearances.
“The recent surge in terror activities in Jammu and the sudden seat-sharing arrangement with the National Conference compelled the party to change its strategy. We are also releasing our manifesto in the next two days. Despite being in power, the BJP has failed to deliver on its promises over the past decade. Their manifesto is full of hollow promises and fake assurances. Why have they failed in fulfilling these guarantees during the last 10 years despite having their government at the Centre?” he questioned.
He said they were confident that their campaign would gain momentum soon, with their top leaders expected to join rallies and highlight the BJP’s broken promises.

Updated On 9/16/2024 4:16:39 AM