New Delhi: Two days after the Gujarat Assembly poll results, the Congress on Wednesday began an exercise to analyse the electoral outcome at a three-day conclave that will be attended by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday.
During the “chintan shivir” (introspection camp), the Congress leaders and workers will analyse the election results district-wise and discuss the roadmap ahead in view of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Gujarat unit chief Bharat Singh Solanki said, “The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee has organised the ’chintan shivir’ with the aim of discussing the Assembly poll results and to provide a roadmap to strengthen the organisation and increase its connect with the people, keeping in mind the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.”
The party’s fortunes received a fillip in the recently-concluded Gujarat Assembly elections. Congress could not capture power in the state, but increased its tally to 77 seats from 61 last time.
Speaking to reporters the general secretary incharge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot said, “Both in terms of seats and campaigning, the Congress performed wonderfully well. Although we could not form the government, a message has been sent across that the BJP can have a tough time fighting the Congress even in the home state of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and (BJP president) Amit Shah.”
Despite good performance, top Congress leaders, including Arjun Modhwadia, Shaktisinh Gohil and Siddharth Patel, lost their seats.
The Congress performed well in rural areas of Gujarat but failed to make a significant mark in the urban pockets.
The Congress will also examine the reasons of its dismal performance in urban areas. Of the 55 urban constituencies in central Gujarat — spread over Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot — the BJP won 44 seats.
Insiders say that the emphasis will be on targeting urban areas and finding out lapses as to why the Congress could not improve in these constituencies.
Congress President Mr. Rahul Gandhi will also be attending the last day of the introspection camp. Keeping up his temple run in the state he is expected to visit the famous Somnath temple also. After the consultations in camp are done a final report will be complied and sent to the Congress leadership for its perusal
