Party’s Senior Leader Manickam Tagore Proposes Election Gameplan to Congress

Senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore has emphasized the significance of alliances in the party’s election strategy, particularly in the Hindi heartland. In an interview with NDTV, Tagore addressed the criticism faced by the Congress following their defeat in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. He stated that while the party’s central leaders understand the need for alliances, it is the state-level leaders who need to grasp their value. According to Tagore, states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, where there is no alliance politics, make it challenging for the Congress to understand the importance of alliances.

Tagore pointed out that alliance politics is better understood in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra. He urged state-level leaders to recognize the value of alliances, stating that it takes time for them to appreciate the significance because they perceive it as sacrificing their own seats. Additionally, Tagore emphasized the need for thorough research on prospective candidates before allocating tickets, rather than basing decisions on track records or other parameters.

The Congress has faced criticism for not collaborating with parties like the Samajwadi Party in Madhya Pradesh and the CPM in Rajasthan. This refusal of alliances has further solidified the perception that the Congress is not a team player, a reputation that newly appointed chief Mallikarjun Kharge is trying to dispel.

Omar Abdullah, the National Conference chief, criticized the Congress for not understanding the ground situation in Madhya Pradesh and failing to give seats to Akhilesh Yadav. He questioned the party’s decision and highlighted the negative outcome of the results. Abdullah expressed concerns about future elections if the Congress continues to face similar situations.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, attributed the Congress’s losses in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan to the division of votes caused by the INDIA bloc parties. She suggested a seat-sharing arrangement to prevent the splitting of votes. Banerjee stated that the Congress had won Telangana and could have emerged victorious in other states as well.

In response to the situation, the Congress has scheduled an “informal” meeting with the INDIA bloc on November 6, although Banerjee has decided not to attend.