Congress leadership absent from campaign trail in Uttar Pradesh: 'It's affected our prospects'

Top Congress leaders have been largely missing from campaigning in UP

As Uttar Pradesh gears up for the third phase of elections, one glaring aspect is the conspicuous absence of senior Congress leaders on the campaign trail, significantly impacting the party's public outreach efforts.

Contesting 17 out of 80 seats in alliance with the Samajwadi Party under the banner of INDIA Bloc, the Congress finds itself in a crucial position. However, despite this alliance, key figures such as party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have refrained from directly engaging with voters.

The initial two phases saw elections in 16 seats, with Congress fielding candidates in only five constituencies including Saharanpur, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Mathura, and Ghaziabad. The absence of top leadership during these crucial phases has not gone unnoticed by party insiders.

"Even as the alliance with the Samajwadi Party remains pivotal, the top leadership's presence is notably lacking. This has affected our prospects," lamented a senior Congress leader in Lucknow.

Exceptions to this trend include Rahul Gandhi's joint press conference with Akhilesh Yadav in Ghaziabad on April 17, and Priyanka Gandhi's singular roadshow in support of Saharanpur candidate Imran Masood on April 16. Additionally, a joint rally by Akhilesh and Rahul Gandhi in Amroha stands out amidst the broader trend of absenteeism.

Sources suggest that the campaign responsibility has largely fallen on AICC General Secretary Avinash Chandra Pandey and State President Ajay Rai, who have been actively conducting meetings in Western Uttar Pradesh.

"The lack of top-level engagement has evidently dampened the morale of party candidates and workers alike, undermining their electoral prospects," noted the Congress leader.

In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively involved, addressing five rallies in West UP and holding two roadshows. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also been visible with numerous election meetings and roadshows.

Political analyst Manoj Bhadra emphasized the significance of senior leaders' presence in energizing an election campaign, noting that it motivates ground-level workers and sends a potent political message.

Moreover, the delayed announcement of candidates for traditional strongholds like Amethi and Rae Bareli, anticipated to be contested by Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi respectively, has compounded the challenges for the Congress.

Recognizing the urgency, the Congress has announced a list of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming third phase. Notable inclusions such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra signal a belated but concerted effort to rejuvenate the party's electoral machinery. Other prominent figures like Salman Khurshid, Ashok Gehlot, and Sachin Pilot underscore the party's determination to regain momentum in the ensuing phases.

While the absence of top leadership has posed significant challenges, the upcoming phases present an opportunity for a strategic resurgence as the Congress aims to reaffirm its relevance in Uttar Pradesh's dynamic political landscape.