Congress gears up for electoral battle: CLP meeting sets stage for strategy

In the political battleground of Himachal Pradesh, the Congress party is gearing up for a formidable electoral battle. The stage was set as the Congress legislators’ party (CLP) meeting was convened in Shimla, with instructions issued to all 34 MLAs to be present. This crucial meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence Oak Over, aimed to strategize and share plans for the upcoming Lok Sabha and by-elections in the six assembly constituencies.

The primary agenda of the meeting was clear: each MLA would be assigned the task of ensuring a lead in their respective Lok Sabha elections. Despite the party’s landslide victory in the 2022 assembly elections, the focus now shifts to not just maintaining but increasing their lead. Every member of the party was urged to work diligently, harnessing the strength of party workers to augment the number of votes.

Reflecting on past electoral dynamics, it was noted that during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, out of the 68 Assembly seats, the BJP secured leads in nearly 65 constituencies—a record of uniform margin unprecedented in the state. Breaking this trend and securing leads in most assembly seats is now a Herculean task facing Chief Minister Sukhu. The challenge lies in meticulous planning to challenge the aura of Modi’s invincibility in the state.

Complicating matters further, the party has been grappling with a coup within the state government. Six party legislators not only cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election on February 27 but also abstained from the Assembly during the passing of the budget, later being disqualified by the Speaker. This internal strife has added to the challenges faced by the Chief Minister in uniting the party cadre, especially in the six Assembly constituencies where by-elections are also scheduled alongside the Lok Sabha polls. The leadership must concentrate efforts on these constituencies, where the credibility of the Congress government is also under scrutiny.

Amidst these challenges, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Chief Minister are closely monitoring the political crisis. The CLP meeting, a proactive step ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, aims to prevent a recurrence of the rebellion witnessed during the Rajya Sabha episode. The party is keen on maintaining unity within its ranks, ensuring that no situation spirals out of control due to internal discord. Additionally, preemptive measures are being taken to ward off any attempts by the opposition BJP to indulge in horse-trading or sway party members against the party line.

The strategy moving forward is clear: the MLAs will be tasked with securing leads in the Lok Sabha elections, actively engaging with party workers to assign them election duties. Furthermore, the Chief Minister is likely to urge Congress MLAs to expand their campaign beyond their respective assembly constituencies, actively participating in rallies and roadshows alongside national leaders during LS and by-election canvassing.

The road ahead is challenging, with the 2022 assembly results indicating a mere 0.9 per cent lead for Congress against the BJP. However, the party remains optimistic, eyeing potential gains in the Mandi and Shimla Parliamentary constituencies due to its strong party cadre and the advantages of holding power in the hill state.

This CLP meeting follows a recent gathering of the state coordination committee in New Delhi on April 13, where election strategies were discussed, and candidates were shortlisted for both the Lok Sabha and by-elections. As the grand old party readies itself for the electoral battle ahead, every move is carefully calculated, aiming not just for victory but a resounding affirmation of Congress’ might in Himachal Pradesh.