Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Congress unveils ambitious electoral strategy to regain political territory

The Congress has selected Kanhaiya Kumar as its candidate for the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

The Congress is contesting three out of the total seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi under a seat-sharing agreement with its Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) partner, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and announced its candidates. Manoj Tiwari, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee for the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, took a jab at Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar, saying that Kumar's "40-day tour" of the constituency might enlighten him on how an MP functions in the area.

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Tiwari Questions Kanhaiya's Credibility

Tiwari, who is representing the North East Delhi seat for a second consecutive term, questioned the credibility of his opponent without naming Kumar. The BJP MP expressed concerns about individuals associated with the so-called "tukde-tukde" gang, referencing to the incident at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in February 2016, where anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.

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North East Delhi: Demographic Diversity and Post-Riot Fallout

With a significant minority population and a notable presence of individuals from Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, commonly known as Purvanchalis, the constituency boasts a diverse demographic composition. The February 2020 riots in the area, resulting in the loss of more than 50 lives, injuring hundreds, and causing extensive damage to both public and private property, have left a profound and enduring impact on the constituency.

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Cong's Bold Move: Challenging BJP's Delhi Stronghold

Political analysts are of the view that the Congress appears to be adopting a bold and confrontational approach in its electoral strategy for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. By fielding Kumar in Delhi North-East, the party is signalling its readiness to directly challenge the BJP's stronghold in key battleground constituencies. Kumar's vocal opposition to the saffron party and his ability to mobilise support among certain segments of the electorate make him a strategic choice for the grand old party in this constituency.

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Congress' Defiance: Challenging AAP in Sangrur

Likewise, the selection of Sukhpal Singh Khaira to contest from Sangrur reflects the party's determination to take on the ruling party, even in areas considered strongholds of its opponents. Khaira's controversial background may present challenges, but his candidacy sends a clear message that the Congress is willing to confront the ruling party head-on, regardless of the obstacles.

Cong Asserts Electoral Strength Amid Challenges

More significantly, these candidate selections suggest that the Congress is positioning itself as a formidable force in the electoral arena, ready to assert its presence and challenge the dominance of its rivals despite facing difficulties and controversies.

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The Congress levelled accusations against the AAP government in the state, alleging unfair targeting in the midst of tensions between the two political entities in Punjab. Despite this, the state government stood by the decision to arrest him, maintaining that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had amassed substantial evidence against him.

In Punjab, unlike in Delhi, there is no formal alliance between the AAP and the Congress. However, the decision to field Khaira indicates that both parties are gearing up for a confrontational campaign against each other.

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Congress' Calculated Risk in Delhi

Kumar's ticket is significant for the Congress. Despite reservations within the party due to the 'tukde tukde' controversy surrounding him, the full support of the Gandhi siblings ensured his candidacy. It's no surprise that Kumar has been given a ticket from an area where he will face off against another Bihari candidate. Additionally, like Tiwari, Kumar is known for his eloquence and is counting on migrant votes to bolster his campaign.

AAP-Cong Alliance: Direct Challenge to BJP

With the AAP and the Congress forming a seat-sharing agreement, all seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi will see a direct contest between candidates from the INDIA bloc combine and the BJP in the upcoming May 25 polls. The AAP has nominated candidates for the East Delhi, West Delhi, South Delhi, and New Delhi seats as part of this agreement.