In a crucial development ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress leadership has informed state units that the party will concentrate its efforts on 255 seats, signaling a potential willingness to contest in fewer seats compared to the 2019 national elections. The decision comes amid increasing pressure and negotiations with allies within the INDIA bloc, a coalition the Congress is actively engaging with for seat-sharing talks.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with senior leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, met with the national alliance committee, which had earlier engaged in extensive discussions with state units. The committee, having submitted its report to the leadership, has received approval to initiate talks with constituents of the INDIA bloc.
During a meeting with AICC general secretaries, state in-charges, Congress presidents, and CLP leaders, Kharge reportedly conveyed the party’s focus on 255 seats. This move is seen as a strategic decision to accommodate partners within the INDIA alliance, indicating a potential departure from the 421 seats contested by the Congress in the 2019 elections, where they secured victory in 52 constituencies.
The Congress acknowledges the challenges in seat-sharing negotiations, particularly in states like Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. While the AAP in Punjab has expressed willingness for a seat-sharing pact, the state Congress unit is wary of aligning with the ruling party. Similar concerns exist in Bengal, where the Congress is reluctant to form an alliance with the Trinamool Congress. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party’s indication to contest in 65 seats leaves only 15 for the Congress and the RLD.
To address the complexities of seat-sharing, the Congress has decided to engage in talks with INDIA parties on a state-to-state basis. This approach entails separate discussions on seat-sharing with parties like the AAP, the Left, and others, depending on their influence in specific regions.
Mukul Wasnik, the convenor of the alliance committee, emphasized that the Congress’s objective is to ensure the INDIA alliance attains a majority and forms the government at the Centre. While the party has not set a deadline for completing the seat-sharing exercise, Wasnik expressed the intention to contact alliance partners for discussions.
Simultaneously, the Congress’s manifesto committee, chaired by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, held its first meeting to discuss key priorities. Chidambaram mentioned that the committee had engaged in preliminary discussions and would reconvene next week. The party leadership has also issued detailed guidelines to state units on establishing social media, media war rooms, and control rooms.
As the Congress enters poll mode, leaders stress the importance of unity, urging members to refrain from making divisive remarks and to keep internal matters within the party. State units have been directed to initiate the candidate selection process and provide the first list at the earliest convenience.
