Congress Campaign Slow in Five State Elections

Congress Leadership Faces Questions as Campaign Activity Remains Limited Across States

Election schedule announced, campaign momentum yet to pick up

New Delhi: Assembly election preparations are underway in five states, with the schedule already announced and notifications expected shortly. While Kerala has already seen the release of its notification, campaign activity within the Congress party appears subdued.

Unlike previous elections, where central leaders played a visible role, there is a limited presence of senior leadership in ongoing campaign preparations. The absence of high-profile outreach has drawn attention within political circles.

State leaders take charge of campaigns

In the current phase, Congress appears to be relying largely on state-level leaders to drive campaign efforts. This shift is visible across multiple states where local leadership is handling outreach and coordination.

The approach marks a departure from earlier elections, where central figures, including Rahul Gandhi, were actively involved in campaign events and messaging.

Assam and alliance challenges

In Assam, the party is facing difficulties in finalizing alliances. The inability to reach agreements with potential partners has created uncertainty in the electoral strategy.

At the same time, the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as a strong BJP leader has added to the challenge, with Congress yet to outline a clear counter-strategy.

Seat-sharing issues in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Congress has entered into an alliance with the ruling DMK. However, the party has been allocated only 36 seats out of 240, which has drawn internal criticism.

Local leaders have taken up campaign responsibilities, while questions remain over seat-sharing decisions and their impact on the party’s electoral prospects.

Uncertainty in West Bengal and Kerala

In West Bengal, the party is yet to achieve clarity on alliances and seat distribution. Earlier collaborations with Left parties have not translated into a clear strategy this time.

Meanwhile, in Kerala, party leaders have expressed confidence about winning 100 seats. However, concerns over coordination and internal unity persist at the ground level.

Puducherry and broader concerns

In Puducherry, coordination between Congress and its ally DMK is also seen as limited. Pre-poll indications suggest a competitive scenario, with rival alliances actively preparing.

The overall campaign environment has raised concerns within party ranks, particularly over the limited visibility of senior leadership during a crucial election phase.