Assam elections: Viral videos, Rahul Gandhi's tweet force Congress to release its candidates from corral

GUWAHATI: Holed up in a resort on the outskirts of Guwahati for four days amid murmurs of horse-trading, Congress candidates in Assam trooped out on Sunday in what appeared to be a response to the surge in Covid cases and a tweet by Rahul Gandhi to put politics aside and stand by the people at a time of crisis.
Videos of a few candidates having a good time at the resort had gone viral on social media even as the state Congress brass clarified that they had gathered there to firm up post-poll strategies in a quiet setting. But as a senior functionary put it, Rahul's tweet on Sunday put the candidates in an embarrassing situation.
"In this crisis, the country needs responsible citizens. I request my Congress colleagues to leave all political work – just provide all help and ease the pain of our countrymen. This is the dharma of the Congress family," the Wayanad MP said.
Congress insiders said the party had become increasingly cagey about its candidates being wooed by BJP. "Even if the Congress-led alliance loses 10 MLAs, it can be difficult to form the government," the said, adding that the "Sonapur camp" was part of a strategy to win the confidence of some new candidates who might be targeted by rivals.
Officially, Congress cited the Covid threat for the poll candidates checking out early. "The Covid situation is a reason for the departure of our candidates. Better to stay at home as a precautionary measure and manage the situation in their respective constituencies," said Bobbeeta Sharma, chairperson of media department in the PCC.
She denied that the camp had anything to do with "horse-trading".
Senior Congress functionary Debabrata Saikia said "a group discussion"was organised during the candidates' stay in Sonapur and a strategy chalked out for counting day. "Our planning is over and we left the resort. That’s all," he said.