Lucknow: To continue its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress has decided to focus more on PM’s constituency Varanasi and rake up farmer issues ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP, too, has consistently focussed on Congress bastions in UP - Amethi and Rae Bareli — as a part of its election strategy.
The Congress plans to launch a Kisan Yatra in Varanasi in February and Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to attend the programme. Rahul Gandhi had last visited Varanasi during the 2017 state assembly elections.
Speaking to media, senior Congress leader and former MP from Varanasi, Rajesh Mishra, said, “Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will be most likely visiting Varanasi in February to support the cause of farmers. He is also expected to attend Kisan Yatra which Congress will be launching on a state-level ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.”
The move by the grand old party is seen to be counter reply to BJP, as PM Modi had visited Rae Bareli in December. Rae Bareli is also the parliamentary constituency of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also earlier announced to give a part of his MP LAD fund to the development of Rae Bareli after BJP president Amit Shah visited the constituency and called the people to end ‘parivarvaad’ (dynastic rule) and usher in ‘vikasvaad’ (development) there.
On the other hand in Amethi, Union Minister Smriti Irani has been quite active even after losing the 2014 Lok Sabha polls against Rahul Gandhi. Irani has been attacking Gandhi on various occasions and have alleged that Amethi was neglected by its MP and was not getting its due development.
The change in Congress’ tactics come after its astounding victory in three heartland states. The party now plans to focus on farmer issues and is planning to organise booth-level meetings apart from Kisan Yatras in UP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. According to senior Congress leaders, various farmer organisations are in constant touch with the party ahead of its Kisan Yatra.
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