Congress will counter BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's February 5 rally here with ones with the party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi in its strongholds in north Bengal.
"We don't want to compete with Narendra Modi's rally. If we are given an option then we will hold rallies with Rahulji in those areas of Bengal where we can reap electoral benefits," a senior state Congress leader told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Asked why the Congress did not prefer a rally by Rahul Gandhi at the same spot as Modi, the leader said, "How will it help us electorally?
"Media persons will write about the rallies for a few days then everyone will forget. If we hold a rally in rural Bengal especially in Congress strongholds it would give us more benefit." According to the party sources, state leaders were already in touch with the Congress high command to bring Rahul Gandhi for a few rallies in Bengal.