Strive for Bihar Model: Rahul’s message to Congress unit

Whether it is MPCC chief Ashok Chavan or former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, all have been repeatedly stating that NCP should spell out its political strategy clearly. The state Congress leaders believe, “The NCP leadership should categorically distance itself from the BJP both at the centre and in the state. Unless that is clear, mending fences to strengthen our alliance would be a difficult exercise.”

However, state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare says, “NCP has made its stand clear that it will always work with secular forces to fight communal parties. So where is the ambiguity.” Yet, both parties believe once the final decisions are taken by party high command Sonia Gandhi and NCP president Sharad Pawar, cadre will follow at grass roots.

According to Congress insiders, “Rahul Gandhi, who is rooted to ground realities, believes the decision making on state Assembly elections should be driven by the local leadership as was done in the Bihar where the alliance was a uniform chorus, which was proved right strategy.”

Ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in half a dozen states during 2016-17, the AICC strategy will be to promote alliances.

Indications are Gandhi junior hinted that the Bihar model which had thwarted Narendra Modi’s electoral march and dented his image was a well calculated strategy of the Congress. Similar strategy should be extended to other states heading for alliances.

If AICC is to be believed, the Congress has started backdoor talks with both Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party ahead of the Uttar Pradesh polls for 403 assembly seats. The UP polls, it believes, will be make or break. If Bihar model clicks, Congress allies can give a tough fight to BJP in the Hindi heartland, a senior functionary revealed.