UP Congress leaders want to go it alone in Lok Sabha, ask party to launch padyatra led by Gandhi siblings

Their demand comes at a time when Akhilesh Yadav, chief of INDIA bloc constituent the Samajwadi Party (SP), has been repeatedly targeting the Congress over growing differences between the two parties, following a failure to resolve a demand for tie-up on seats for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls that are currently underway.

“The question of alliance will be discussed by the national leadership, and is thus left for them. But, there was a suggestion for a padyatra to raise issues of public concern, like unemployment, deteriorating law and order, etc. The Congress is known for padyatras in which it takes up public issues, so we’ll soon plan one that will be launched by national leaders,” Ajay Rai told The Indian Express, adding that the attendees also suggested that the party should get more aggressive in taking up public issues, even if that means going to jail.

Senior leaders also said that the UP Congress is likely to get a new committee soon, and that with the Lok Sabha polls in mind, while an attempt has been made to give 50% of the positions to the youth, it would also reflect heavily on OBC, Dalit and minority representatives. Asked about the soon-to-be announced new committee, Rai said, “It will be a balance of all, accommodating both old and new, veterans and youths.”

“In a weeks’ time, we will get a new state committee, which will have a balance of young and old faces, with due consideration given to OBC, Dalits and minorities,” said a party leader. Of late, the Congress has launched campaigns focusing on OBCs, Dalits and minorities, especially through its Dalit Gaurav Yatra, which it has now decided to extend. The party had also recently held an OBC Sammelan, and has raised the demand for caste-based census, among other issues. Sources said the new committee would reflect the Congress’s new-found focus.

Party leaders said the purpose of the meeting was to take everyone into confidence before the new committee was announced. Rai took the opportunity to also ask senior state leaders to stand behind Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra as they lead the campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.

Seeking suggestions from the state leaders, Rai assured them that their suggestions would be considered and given due importance, and asked them to contribute towards the party’s programmes like the Dalit Gaurav Yatra. Pointing out that the Lok Sabha elections were just five months away, he asked them to work together to convey the party’s message to the people.

Rai also claimed that the ruling BJP in the state is currently facing “infighting”, that “one of the deputy chief ministers is neither attending government events, nor Cabinet meetings”. He stressed that along with highlighting the government’s failure in establishing law and order, curbing unemployment, etc. in the state, the discord in the ruling party ranks should also be highlighted in Congress campaigns.