No Modi-bashing in poll campaigns: Congress

“Negative campaign against Narendra Modi has only benefited him,” said senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela who was in Rajkot to attend party meetings today.

“We have done our homework and roughly drafted the campaign agenda involving 12 points,” said the newly appointed ITDC chairman,who has been entrusted with the task of devising party’s poll strategy and finding candidates.

Without elaborating the 12 points,he said they are based on issues concerning the people. “Our approach will be positive.

The Congress plans not to target anyone,including Modi,” he said.

This assumes significance as both in 2002 and 2007 the party’s strategy was by and large focused on Modi-bashing. Many feel that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s “Maut ke saudagar” jibe in 2007 gave Modi a chance to go all out against the Congress and turn the tide in his favour.

On BJP’s strategy

On BJP’s campaign plans,Vaghela expressed the possibility that the party would try to mislead voters.

“Many new policies like reducing VAT on fuel,Metro between Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar and other such schemes will be announced ahead of the election,which will be rolled back or canceled later on,” he said,adding,“Besides,like 2002,this time also BJP will try to divide society to win the election.”