Congress bets big on Rahul's Surat debut

Rahul Gandhi will finally start his election campaign in Gujarat on Sunday "" his first outside his home state of Uttar Pradesh.

He is expected to address election rallies in Surat and its surrounding areas. Congress managers are trying to get him to hold meetings in Saurashtra and Bhuj as well. All these areas will go to polls on Tuesday (December 11).

Congress General Secretary BK Hariprasad told Business Standard: "Rahul Gandhi's rally will take place in Surat. This will have a major impact on Congress voters in that region."

Congress managers have projected him as the trump card of the party in this election. Rahul Gandhi will concentrate in the Surat area which has been a stronghold for his party for several years.

Although his mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi campaigned in Gujarat earlier this week, she left Surat city for her son to make his political mark. Her rallies at Anand, Gandhidham and Jasdan were well-attended. Party managers insist that Rahul's rally will be held in other places to optimise the "Gandhi magic".

Rahul will address rallies in and around Surat because the Congress is anticipating a victory in these pockets. The dissidence factor is working strongly against Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to cash in on this.

For Rahul Gandhi, it is a comfortable situation, though. He won't need to score points against Modi on Hindutva or communal appeal. He can safely focus on development issues and try to increase the margins for party candidates.

Congress sources say it will be a one-day tour for Rahul Gandhi, adding the young leader will be back in action for the second phase of elections as well, which will be held on December 16.