New Delhi: Congress party on Tuesday declared its list of star campaigners for Gujarat Assembly polls but the most prominent name missing from the list is Shashi Tharoor. Newly elected Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge along with Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi will take charge of the party campaigning in state and will be aided & assisted by about 40 leaders.
The party’s list of star campaigners features veterans as well as young turks, ranging from Ashok Gehlot to Digvijay Singh to Kanhaiya Kumar & Jignesh Mevani.
Congress releases a list of star campaigners for #GujaratElections.
Party chief Malliakrjun Kharge, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, party MP Rahul Gandhi, general secy Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, CMs Ashok Gehlot-Bhupesh Baghel, Sachin Pilot, Jignesh Mevani, Kanhaiya Kumar to campaign. pic.twitter.com/wXr3NAGdcS
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2022
The big names who are missing from the list are mostly those opened front against the Gandhis under the G-23 grouping. Anand Sharma, Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari & Randeep Singh Surjewala have been left out from the list of star campaigners.
Shashi Tharoor seems to have fallen from the favourite list of Congress high command after he opened banner of revolt against the undisputed hegemony of Gandhis in the party and contested for party president post.
Shashi Tharoo was also among the Group of 23 who called out the party high command for Congress party’s falling fortunes.
Sharma, Tharoor & Tewari, all of them demanded an organizational overhaul of the party and appointment of a full-party president who could steer the party through the critical times.
Jignesh Mevani & Kanhaiya Kumar are among the young campaigners of party, whose claim to fame was their fierce opposition to Narendra Modi government.
BJP-ruled Gujarat is heading to polls in 2 phases – Dec 1 & Dec 5. Counting of votes will be held on Dec 8.
BJP, despite anti-incumbency wave is hoping for a return to power for seventh consecutive term and repeat the winning streak in the state.
Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also launched a high-octane drive in Gujarat polls, aiming to draw big political divided much on the lines of Punjab. It’s entry has complicated the erstwhile bipolar contest between BJP & main contest Congress.
