Congress Targets 255 Lok Sabha Seats, Expresses Readiness for Collaboration with INDIA Partners
Agency: In a significant move, the Congress leadership, led by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, has conveyed their intent to focus on 255 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, showcasing a potential willingness to reduce the number of contested seats compared to the 2019 elections. The decision is seen as a proactive step towards accommodating partners within the INDIA alliance, with seat-sharing talks set to commence promptly.
The announcement comes after extensive discussions within the party’s five-member national alliance committee, which submitted its report, granting the green light for discussions with INDIA bloc constituents. The Congress acknowledges the complexity of seat-sharing negotiations, particularly in states like Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
In the 2019 elections, the Congress contested 421 seats, winning 52, and formed alliances in various states. Recognizing potential challenges, the party has opted for a state-wise approach in discussions with INDIA alliance parties, emphasizing the objective of ensuring the alliance secures a majority to form the government.
However, negotiations are expected to be intricate, especially in states where local considerations, such as the AAP’s willingness for a pact in Punjab and the Congress’s cautious stance in states like Bengal, pose challenges. The party aims to conduct state-specific talks to address such intricacies.
While the Congress has not finalized the number of seats it will contest, the overarching objective remains clear: to facilitate the INDIA alliance in securing a government at the Centre. The manifesto committee, chaired by P Chidambaram, has also begun preparations, underscoring the party’s readiness for the upcoming elections.
(Courtesy: The Indian Express)
