Congress heavyweights to raise poll pitch after Diwali

JAIPUR: For the time being, the Congress has given a pause to its ‘Guarantee Yatras’ due to the Diwali but will resume it from November 14.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are scheduled to visit the state.
According to sources four to five big meetings of these leaders are expected in the next two weeks after Diwali before the elections.
“It will not only be big meetings as it will require more resources and mobilisation. Since the state leaders are busy with their own election campaigning, the party’s campaign strategy will be on holding roadshows, corner meetings, and discussions as well to connect with the people,” said a leader.
“Wait till Diwali and you will see a blitzkrieg of Congress by national leaders, including Kharge, Rahul, and Priyanka criss-crossing the state,” said a Congress leader. So far Rahul has been focusing on Telangana and while Priyanka and Kharge taking the leading role in Rajasthan.
Priyanka had already addressed election rallies in Tonk, Dausa and Jhunjhunu while Kharge has held rallies in Bhilwara, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
The last time Rahul was here for a meeting was held in Mangarh in South Rajasthan in August 9 on International Tribal Day. But all three leaders will be coming to Rajasthan post-Diwali to counter the polarising campaign by BJP and PM Modi, according to Congress leaders.
The party leaders said it will stick to its campaign of its guarantees and will not be carried away by the communal rhetoric of the BJP leaders. “The BJP wants to divert attention from our schemes which are quite popular with the people. That is why they rake up non-issues. But we will not be carried away and stick to the success of our schemes and guarantees, said a Congress source.