While the BJP has put its full might into campaigning in the three north-eastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland, the Congress is seen wanting to match it. While the BJP’s most popular campaigner Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading from the front, the Congress’s tallest leader Rahul Gandhi is missing in action from all the three states.
Tripura went to polls on February 16. But Rahul did not visit the state even once for canvassing support for his party’s candidates even though his name was listed as one of the star campaigners of the party.
Meghalaya and Nagaland will face elections on February 27. Senior BJP leaders including Union home minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda have already visited the two states. Modi is scheduled to campaign at Dimapur in Nagaland on February 24.
The Meghalaya government has denied permission to the BJP to hold the PM’s rally inside PA Sangma stadium in West Garo Hills district’s Tura on February 24. The PM’s programme remains intact though the venue may be changed.
On the other hand, Rahul has been holidaying at such a crucial juncture of the political calendar. He was last seen in public during the first part of Parliament’s budget session which got over on February 13.
Thereafter, he was spotted in Gulmarg in Kashmir. For the past few days, he has been seen skiing and riding ice-scooter on the ice-covered mountains with his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
His presence in Gulmarg was first reported on February 15. He was there at least till February 19. He and Priyanka held a meeting with party leaders in Gulmarg. All India Congress Committee in-charge Rajani Patil, who was suspended from Rajya Sabha recently for filing the proceedings of the House and circulating it outside, was also present on the occasion.
Thereafter, Rahul is likely to attend the three-day plenary session of the Congress from February 24 in Raipur. There is no word from the Congress whether he will campaign in Meghalaya and Nagaland.
When TOI reached out to a senior spokesperson of the Congress and asked whether Rahul would campaign in the two poll-bound north-eastern states, he said, “No idea.”
While the BJP has fielded a battery of leaders in the two states, only a handful from the Congress are seen on the ground. Party general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh released the party’s election manifesto in the two states recently. Party leader in-charge of Nagaland Ajoy Kumar accompanied him.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is scheduled to address an election rally at Chumoukedima in Nagaland on February 21.
While the counting of votes for all three states would be undertaken on March 2, Rahul is slated to visit his alma mater Cambridge University towards the end of this month.
The last time Rahul had addressed election rallies was three months ago on November 21 in Rajkot and Surat for the Gujarat assembly election. That was the only time when he took leave from the five-month-long Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra to campaign for an election. The Congress was decimated in Gujarat.
He did not visit Himachal Pradesh though. The Congress defeated the BJP in the election.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders and the party’s state units have hailed Rahul’s skiing and other non-political skills. National secretary Pradeep Narwal said, “Another feather in the hat! A skilled swimmer and now the picture tells he’s a great skier as well! Our country needs a multi-dimensional leader like him.”
Telangana Youth Congress posted a meme which described Rahul’s qualities. “Qualified pilot, Aikido fighter, swimmer and skier. Not just a visionary leader but also a multi-talented gem who has the ability to inspire millions of youths.”
On the other hand, BJP leaders said Rahul was able to enjoy in Kashmir because of PM Modi. Party national general secretary CT Ravi said, “‘Silly Dynast’ Rahul Gandhi enjoyed the snowfall in Kashmir not because of his great grandfather Nehru or his grandmother Indira Gandhi or his father Rajiv Gandhi or his mother Sonia Gandhi but only because of PM Shri @narendramodi who corrected the Himalayan Blunders of Nehru.”
The suspense over Rahul’s campaigning in Meghalaya and Nagaland continues.
- Times of India