Quiet discomfort

CONGRESS'S LOW-KEY CAMPAIGN SUGGESTS A WEAKENED PARTY, BUT IT SAYS IT IS ENGAGING WITH PEOPLE

- SONI MISHRA

A LOT HAS changed for the Congress in Gujarat since the assembly polls in 2017, when it carried out a feisty campaign led by Rahul Gandhi. It won 79 seats and 41.1 per cent votes in a close contest with the BJP. It was the party's best performance in three decades, a period which witnessed the BJP's unbroken reign.

In stark contrast, the Congress's electioneering is conspicuously low profile this time, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to warn his partymen about a 'silent campaign'. Rahul, who is busy leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra, may make only a guest appearance in Gujarat.

Amid a sea change, a constant for the Congress in Gujarat is veteran leader Ashok Gehlot. In the electoral contest where the Gujarat model is the BJP's main plank and the Delhi model the AAP's, the Rajasthan model is playing a predominant role for the Congress in more ways than one. Gehlot is leading it in his capacity as Rajasthan chief minister and senior observer supervising the party's campaign. His trusted lieutenant Raghu Sharma is the AICC in-charge of the state, and leaders from Rajasthan have been pressed into service in every constituency. On offer are promises like bringing back the old pension scheme, free hospital care for accident victims, free medicines and insurance cover.

The campaign crafted by Gehlot and team this time is different from the high-voltage electioneering of the party in 2017. There is a conscious effort to prevent the election from turning into a Congress versus Modi contest. While avoiding attacks on Modi, the party is targeting the BJP's state leaders. The party also wants to steer clear of the debate on hindutva and communal polarisation.