Congress presidential polls on Sunday heat up with the main contenders Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor intensified the campaign.
Mallikarjun Kharge, a Gandhi family nominee, said tthat he is fighting the Congress Presidential polls because the condition of the country is bad while Tharoor said he could act as a catalyst of change for the grand old party.
Veteran Congress MP Kharge said, “I want to fight because the condition in the country is bad. Modi and Shah are doing politics where there is no place for democracy. Agencies like CBI and ED are weakening. To fight them I need to have power. That is why, on the recommendation of delegations, I am fighting the polls,” Kharge said while addressing a press conference.
The Congress leader also requested the support of all the delegates in the Congress Presidential polls. “I have come here ahead of the Congress elections. I want to request all the Congress delegates for their help and support. I decided to fight the elections after their support and so far I have been getting a tremendous response. I will be meeting and interacting with all the delegates,” Kharge further said.
Emphasizing the need to win the trust of the voters again, Congress presidential candidate Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said to revive the party’s presence in the country, he could act as a catalyst of change for the grand old party.
He further offered a piece of advice to BJP saying the ruling party should start preparing to be a part of the opposition ahead of the 2024 General Elections. Speaking to media persons in Mumbai, the Congress MP said, “Our party needs change and I feel I am the one who will be the catalyst of change.”
“Congress has run the country nicely, we have experienced people (in party)… we need to show our strength to re-win voters. Party needs to be attractive for it, needs to be confident so voters may give us their trust,” said Tharoor.
Suggesting BJP to start preparation for being a part of the Opposition, Congress presidential candidate said, “BJP should start preparing of being a part of the opposition as they will have to sit there after the 2024 elections.”
He further said he wants to make Congress strong for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“My aim is to make the Congress party strong for 2024 as our citizens are unhappy with the Modi government. People want the Opposition to be strong, as inflation is high as well as unemployment and hate speech too. In 2014 and 2019 we got only 19 per cent of votes, I want people to come to us who didn’t vote for us. I want people to look into us,” he said.
With the Gandhis not running for the top post, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years.
The results of the party polls will be declared on October 19.