With only two weeks left before the curtains fall on the election campaign for the Haryana Assembly polls, the Congress is facing a surprising setback as its top stars have yet to hit the campaign trail.
Despite announcing a robust list of 40 stars campaigners, including heavyweights like Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, none of the senior leaders have made an appearance in the state. As the October 5 elections inch closer, and campaign is set to conclude on October 3, the absence of the party’s central leadership has raised concerns within Congress circles.
So far, none of the national leaders from the Congress’ central leadership have arrived to address rallies or energise the party carder, worrying the contenders who are facing a tough challenge in this multi-cornered contest.
The Congress had released an extensive list of its star campaigners, including prominent names like Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. However, no official announcements have been made regarding their schedule for rallies or roadshows in Haryana. Party loyalists, eager to see a boost in momentum, are left waiting for these big names to take Centre stage. “Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will not only address rallies but will also lead roadshows to support party candidates. A detailed schedule will be released soon. This is all part of our strategy,” said a senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity, attempting to assuage concerns about the slow start.
But with the BJP’s campaign in full throttle, the absence of Congress leaders has left many questioning whether the party is losing valuable time in the race to win voters. The ruling BJP on the other hand has wasted no time in ramping up its efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already held a rally in Kurukshetra, jumpstarting the BJP’s election campaign in the state. Modi’s presence in Haryana is set to grow stronger with three more rallies on the horizon, two in Sonipat and Hisar on September 26 and a final one in Palwal on October 2. Adding to the BJP’s aggressive campaigning, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already addressed two rallies, and the party’s national president JP Nadda is scheduled to visit Haryana on Thursday.
Union ministers Manohar Lal, Rao Inderjit Singh, Krishan Pal Gurjar, and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur are also actively campaigning, further cementing the BJP’s dominant presence on the ground. In the absence of the heavyweights, the Congress has been relying heavily on its state leaders to spearhead the campaign.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, have been working tirelessly to keep the party’s momentum going. However, their efforts are largely seen as insufficient to counter the BJP’s full-force offensive.
The party’s star campaigners, including wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, have also been active, particularly in Julana, where Phogat is locked in a fierce battle against the BJP and AAP candidates.
Still, their regional influence does little to compensate for the absence of Congress’ national heavyweights.
Political observers believe that the Congress is on a very strong footing in Haryana but the delay in the arrival of senior leaders in the election trail could prove costly.
While party insiders maintain that a last-minute surge led by the likes of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will provide a significant boost, the question remains whether it will be too little, too late.