Sonia to lead late charge in Bihar

The party had earlier taken a calculated risk by deciding to contest over 80 of the 243 seats in the state to try being on its own in due course of time. Sources said the feedback the leadership got was that Muslims, who now appeared to be looking at the Congress, could be motivated to back at least stronger party candidates if Sonia joins the campaign.

AICC secretary Shakeel-uz-Zaman Ansari, who hails from Bihar, claimed: ‘‘There is a wave in favour of Congress, and Sonia Gandhi’s campaign would convert it into votes.’’

The Congress is targeting the 16 per cent minority vote first. The reason is simple. Once, they shift their support, even if partially, from Laloo Prasad Yadav’s RJD, Congress fortunes would start looking up.

As part of this strategy, Sonia picked up veteran leader Mohsina Kidwai for heading the screening committee, set up to shortlist applicants for party tickets. Now she has deputed Kidwai to Bihar to oversee arrangements being made for her public meetings.

When asked about the reasons for the choice of venues, party leaders sought to link them to the presence of a large number of Congress candidates in their vicinity. However, sources said that might have been one reason, but the whole issue has been given a much deeper thought.

Sonia’s impending visit to Bhagalpur reflects an intention to address the Muslims. Before Gujarat happened, Bhagalpur riots (October 1989) were considered the worst in independent India. Over 1,000 people were estimated to have died in communal violence in this district when the Congress ruled at the Centre and in the state. The silk industry, which employed members of the minority community, suffered large-scale damage. In the elections that followed, Congress lost power in the state for good. The minority community deserted the Congress and it got completely marginalised. If Sonia has to try enlisting the minority support in Bihar, no place would be more appropriate than Bhagalpur.

Buxar is Laloo’s home turf, located next to his native Gopalganj district. This incursion by Sonia into Laloo’s den would have far-reaching consequences. The area is associated with martyr Kunwar Singh, a great Kshatriya hero. It is vital for reaching out to upper-caste supporters of the party.