New Delhi: Following its defeat in the Haryana assembly elections, the Congress party's allies in the INDIA bloc have called for a review of its election strategy. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiv Sena-UBT, and the Communist Party of India (CPI) voiced concerns over the Congress’s approach, particularly as upcoming polls in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi draw near.
Despite initially trailing during the vote count, the BJP secured a significant victory, winning 48 out of 90 seats, while the Congress, expected to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiments, managed only 37 seats.
AAP leaders criticised the Congress, warning against overconfidence. Arvind Kejriwal stated that the key takeaway from the results is to avoid complacency. Manish Sisodia added that although voters sought to unseat the BJP, the Congress's strategic flaws led to its poor performance.
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi maintained that the Haryana results would not affect the Maharashtra elections but advised the Congress to refine its strategy. CPI general secretary D Raja urged the Congress to introspect and involve all INDIA bloc partners in shaping the strategy for the upcoming polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
With the Congress engaged in seat-sharing talks with Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray has pushed for clarity on the coalition's chief ministerial candidate. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh emphasised adherence to 'coalition dharma' and stressed that alliance issues should be discussed internally, rather than through the media.
The Haryana election outcome has raised concerns within the opposition bloc as they prepare for crucial assembly elections in key states.
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Wayanad: Kerala Police have registered a case after food kits bearing images of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were seized in Wayanad ahead of the by-elections. The kits, containing essentials like rice and sugar, were discovered near the residence of a Congress leader. Images of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were also reportedly found on the kits.
The case was registered under s. 173 of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act. Around 30 kits were seized by the Election Commission’s flying squad in collaboration with the local police, days before the scheduled bypoll on November 13. Congress officials claimed the kits were intended for survivors of the July 30 landslide in Wayanad. However, the ruling Left Front alleged that the kits aimed to influence voters ahead of the by-election.
Priyanka Gandhi, contesting as the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate, is up against CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas in the upcoming poll. The by-election was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the Wayanad seat, opting to retain Rae Bareli following his victories in both constituencies in this year’s general elections.