‘Dilli Jodo Yatra’ with empty CM chair twist: Congress takes a leaf out of Rahul’s book for Delhi Assembly elections

An empty chair, symbolic of the Delhi Chief Minister’s seat reserved for the common man, and the slogan ‘Dilli Walon Aao Dilli Chalao (Delhiites come, run Delhi)’ will be at the centre of the yatra as the Congress attempts to leave behind criticisms of political complacency and lack of connect with the average Delhi citizen.

“An empty chair, reserved for the people of Delhi who are the city’s actual leadership, will be the central part of the yatra. The Congress wants to target (AAP convener Arvind) Kejriwal’s theatrics of stepping down as CM when what he is really trying to do is attempting to run away from anti-incumbency and non-performance over a decade,” a Congress leader said.

The yatra will also see Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav camping overnight in each of Delhi’s 70 Assembly constituencies seeking suggestions on specific local and governance-related issues from residents and focus groups for the party’s manifesto, party insiders say.

Leaders are hopeful that with the launch of its manifesto campaign Monday, the party will shift political gears in the city. “This week, the party will launch its manifesto campaign — something we have never done before, especially in Delhi, at Yadav’s suggestion, after several months of organisational restructuring in the city,” a leader said.

“We will seek suggestions on local and community-related issues directly from people over calls, emails, even set up a desk at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place. These will be included in the manifesto, along with the Congress’s solutions for them vetted by experts, to exhibit that the party is committed to resolving them,” the leader added.

Sources said the Congress was seeking to focus specifically on issues related to the SC, ST, minority and lower-middle-class communities for the election.