Party honchos should communicate more: Jairam

The observations made by Jairam Ramesh, considered a key strategist of the Congress party, assumes significance as the BJP, led by its PM aspirant Narendra Modi has gone on a campaign overdrive. HT reports.Rahul takes on Modi, says 'people come and make tall claims' | HT column: the enigma of silence

The Congress might be getting active in social media and advertisement, but a section within the establishment feels the top brass of the party should engage in more direct communication to build the poll campaign on UPA’s achievements.

The many faces of Jairam Ramesh. (AFP Photo)

Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh told HT, “I always feel that our three big leaders, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi should communicate more. Politics is a lot about communication.”

He further added, “I am sure that at the appropriate time they will do it.”

The observations made by Ramesh, considered a key strategist of the party, assumes significance as the BJP, led by its prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi has gone on a campaign overdrive.

Ramesh’s comments also come at a time when the Congress is undertaking a five-day long media workshop to train its TV faces to reach out to the audience more effectively.

The rural development minister, however, refuted suggestions that Modi’s campaign has made the Congress jittery. “We have substance but we need to improve our style. The BJP has no substance but it goes overboard.”

Many other leaders and strategists too, according to party sources, have suggested to the top leadership to increase their interactions.

After Rahul Gandhi’s speech at CII in April, Sam Pitroda, a family friend and his key advisor told HT, “This was just the beginning and he spoke from the heart. In the coming days, many more interactions are likely to happen.”

Ramesh admitted to have told the PM “several times” to communicate more often. “Whenever the Prime Minister has given an impromptu speech, he has simply demolished the Opposition, particularly the BJP. He has a remarkable vision of foreign policy, and I wish he had communicated this more frequently.”