The Congress party is determined to cash in on the widening rift between the ruling JD(U) and BJP in Bihar. It has firmed up a comprehensive strategy for the ensuing assembly elections scheduled for September-October.
Apart from its focus on development largely on bijli-sadak-pani, the party would approach voters on the stability plank. It has already set up a war room to gear up for the coming polls.
Mukul Wasnik, AICC general secretary in charge of Bihar, told Business Standard: “Congress will reach out to the people with a programme for development and welfare. Simultaneously, we will also come out with a chargesheet listing out the failures and omissions of the JD(U)-BJP government in Bihar.”
Wasnik, who already held meetings with the party’s district and divisional observers on Monday, rubbished claims of the JD(U) and BJP about the pace of development in the state.
A senior AICC member, who did not want to be quoted, said the party would make all out efforts to regain the confidence of minorities, dalits, OBCs and a section of upper-class voters. He noted that the party would definitely expose the “unholy and opportunistic” alliance between JD(U)-BJP.
The recent spat between the two parties over an advertisement carrying the photo of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has exposed the widening rift between the two parties. In such a situation, the Congress party is trying to gain political mileage, the party leader said.
“There is an under current where certain sections feel that governance will be better if the same party is in power both at the state and central level. Besides, the pace of development will increase if the Congress government comes to power in the state as it can expect more funds from the Centre,” he added.
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Further, the Congress leader said the party would also do everything to rejuvenate party organisations at the taluk, district and state level. “The party plans to organise several public rallies to be addressed by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi ahead of the election campaign in order to charge-up the rank and file. Youths will be targeted in particular,” he informed.
According to the Congress leader, migration of Bihar residents largely due to lack of sufficient job opportunities in the state, would also be taken up by the party. “Biharis are in news due to attack by parties like Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Congress will promise creation of employment and promotion of self employment to curb migration,” he said.