Rahul Gandhi asks Congress fronts to help devise 2019 win strategy

The Congress has stepped up its poll preparations in recent weeks with Rahul Gandhi announcing three election-related panels such as core group, manifesto and publicity committees.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has asked the party’s affiliates and departments to help evolve a winnable strategy for next year’s national elections. This is part of his efforts to prepare the organisation for the polls.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi during an event in Singapore on March 8. (REUTERS)

“As heads of the frontal organisations, departments and cells, you have been active in taking the message of the Congress president to the grassroots and your suggestions and feedback is necessary so as to plan the election strategy,” Congress general secretary in-charge of organisation and training Ashok Gehlot said in an August 28 letter to heads of the party’s wings.

Gehlot has asked them to prepare a brief note on the election preparedness and areas for intervention.

“It is also necessary to discuss with you the support you require to make the working of your respective wings more contributory and effective,” Gehlot wrote.

Gandhi will hold a meeting with them soon and discuss the strategy for the 2019 elections.

The Congress has stepped up its poll preparations in recent weeks with Gandhi announcing three election-related panels such as core group, manifesto and publicity committees.

While no one has been named as the head of the panels, the leaders will among themselves select the coordinators for calling meetings.

The core group will be the apex committee to oversee the management and the party’s preparations for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

On Monday, the 19-member manifesto committee had an informal interaction and laid down the ground rules for preparing the key election document.