Cong holds strategy meeting for Assam poll

The closed-door meeting was held at the official residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at 10, Rajaji Marg in Delhi. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also attended the meeting, showing direct central involvement in the Assam campaign.

Besides, senior Congress observers Bhupesh Baghel and DK Shivakumar attended the discussions along with AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, AICC general secretary in-charge of the state Jitendra Singh and several other state leaders were also part of the deliberations.

Former Chhattisgarh CM Baghel and Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar had travelled to the national capital specifically for the meeting; while Debabrata Saikia, the Congress Legislature Party leader in the Assam Assembly, was also present.

According to the sources, the meeting focused on organisational preparedness, coordination between the central leadership and the state unit and groundwork for the upcoming election campaign. The party has been out of power in Assam for two consecutive terms and is aiming to challenge the BJP’s hold on the state.

Elections to the 126-member Assam Assembly are due in the coming months and are likely to be held alongside polls in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal.