Lok Sabha polls: Congress plans 450 small public meetings

GANDHINAGAR: With the general elections round the corner, the state Congress is firming up its strategies for the 26 Lok Sabha seats. As part of its campaign plans, the party will organise 450 small public meetings in addition to the large meetings to be attended by the national leaders. At present Gujarat Congress does not have a single seat in the LS.
Siddharath Patel, chairperson of the Gujarat Congress LS election campaign committee said, “Today we had various poll related discussions and campaign plans for rural and urban areas, community-wise campaignsamong other issues. To reach out to voters in each important area of the 26 LS constituencies covering 182 Assembly seats, we will organise more than 450 public meetings, in addition to the large public meetings by national leaders.”

However, Patel did not disclose if leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others will be part of the “extensive campaigns”. “We are yet to discuss the plan at the state level before taking it up to the national level,” he said, adding that despite all limitations, including fund crisis for campaign, the party will do its best.

To consult industry and trade bodies

Rajya Sabha MP and Gujarat Lok Sabha manifesto committee chairman Madhusudan Mistry said public infrastructure for Gujarat will be the party’s focus area. “We have started consultations to understand the needs of Gujarat. We are preparing a state-specific manifesto. We will hold extensive consultations with industry and trade bodies in Gujarat to understand their expectations, besides tribal people, Dalits and all sections of society,” he added.