Rahul meets party MLAs to assess ground situation

Danilimda (SC) MLA Shailesh Parmar,who also had a meeting with Rahul a week ago,said that the party vice-president wanted to know why the Congress lost the Assembly polls. Rahul reportedly questioned Parmar and other leaders about the party’s position in their respective areas and how to improve the performance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Parmar was also asked how to woo back the Dalits who have shifted their loyalties to the BJP.

Ashwin Kotwal,a tribal representing Khedbrahma in the Assembly,said that Rahul was worried about a sizeable chunk of STs having crossed over to the BJP. Of the total 27 Assembly seats reserved for STs,12 went to the BJP in the last Assembly polls and 15 remained with the Congress. Kotwal is reported to have told the Congress vice-president that the party fared poorly because of distribution of tickets on the basis of factions in the party and not on merit.

Rahul also discussed the issue of mobilising the women in favour of the party with Gujarat Pradesh Mahila Congress president Sonal Patel.

Rahul is also reported to have inquired about who could be the best candidate for the post of state party president as incumbent Arjun Modhwadia had resigned in the wake of party’s debacle in December last.