Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says that the party’s performance in the Gujarat elections is a good sign for the future of the party.
New Delhi: Despite not coming to power, the performance of the Congress in the Gujarat elections is a good signal for the general elections in 2019, said the party’s leader who was in charge of its campaign.
“Rahul’s campaign was phenomenal, issue-based and democratic. Whatever you say, it will be a success for Congress anyway,” Gehlot told ThePrint’s Associate Editor Kumar Anshuman.
Gehlot said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s campaign had been “issue based”, focused on farmers, youth, labour, Dalits and adivasis.
“It’s the first time that we have made a manifesto based on people’s needs,” he said.
Gehlot claimed the BJP’s campaign was based entirely on “Gujarat asmita (pride)” and its reputation in Gujarat.
When asked about the role that young leaders like Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakor had played in these elections, Gehlot said that it was only natural for them to support the Congress because they were united against the BJP.
“That’s why they came with us, and their campaign will also benefit the Congress,” he said.