- Edited and Published by S.K Nair Director Edutech Foundation - Bangalore
The Rahul Gandhi-led campaign not only recorded its best assembly performance in the state since 1995, but also matched the BJP blow for blow in planning and execution.
Under Ashok Gehlot, the Congress election campaign matched the BJP blow for blow in planning and execution, as the party focused its meagre resources on 45 swing seats. It ran the BJP close in terms of seats won despite a vote share almost eight per cent lower.
Rahul Gandhi, its new president, led the campaign from the front and showed a consistency that surprised opponents and forced the PM to respond, particularly on how the Centre was “helping a handful of big business”.
On Monday, Gehlot said the BJP failed to respond to issues raised by the Congress during the campaign. He indicated the Congress would continue to demand answers from the BJP on alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal, business dealings of BJP chief Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah, rural distress, lack of jobs for youth and inflation.
In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi thanked Congress workers for making him proud. “You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress’s greatest strength is its decency and courage.”
