Congress leaders meet to discuss poll strategy, Bharat Nyay Yatra

On January 4, high-ranking Congress figures from across India convened in New Delhi to deliberate on strategies for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, seat allocation, and coordination for the Bharat Nyay Yatra, spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, which initiates on January 14. The assembly, which takes place at the Congress headquarters, included state unit heads, party general secretaries, state charges, and Congress Legislature Party leaders, was presided over by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Additionally, former party chief, Rahul Gandhi was in attendance. This marked the opening meeting for new party officials following a reorganization orchestrated by Mr. Kharge in December. Ashok Gehlot, the former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, mentioned ahead of the assembly that two separate gatherings of the Congress's internal committee had been convened to discuss seat sharing deals with potential allies. The report will be subsequently submitted to the party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, and further discussions will be held regarding the reinforcement of the INDIA alliance and seat sharing matters," stated Mr. Gehlot. After 10 years in political wilderness, the Congress hopes to form a united front with the INDIA bloc in an attempt to dislodge the BJP from power. Over the past several months, the Congress leadership held standalone meetings with state leaders to discuss strategies for their respective state's poll readiness. The Bharat Nyay Yatra, a reiteration of the Bharat Jodo Yatra carried out from September 2022 to January 2023, will transpire from January 14 to March 20, spanning from Imphal to Mumbai. This east to west journey across India is a bid by Congress to connect with constituents prior to the Lok Sabha elections anticipated in April-May.