Congress can defeat BJP on its own in Haryana but AAP wants alliance: Venugopal

Our principal motive is to defeat BJP, says Congress leader KC Venugopal

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party is confident of defeating the BJP in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections alone but is examining the possibilities of an alliance with the AAP.

“Our party is capable enough to defeat BJP in Haryana. But AAP, as part of INDIA, expressed its wish for an alliance. Our principal motive is to defeat BJP. We’re examining the pros and cons of an alliance. Right now, there isn’t much clarity,” Venugopal told Times of India.

In an interview with TOI, the Congress leader denied that there is any factionalism in Haryana. “There will be some differences among Congress veterans, but we’ll sort it out. Nobody is leaving the party,” said Venugopal while adding that Haryana has slid in the last 10 years under BJP, and people are in a “mood to punish the party”.

According to him, farmers are agitated, but BJP politicians are still insulting them.

He also attacked the Election Commission for changing the Haryana poll dates. “EC changed polling dates in Haryana on BJP’s request, but without changing the date of nomination. EC has become ‘ED’ (election department) under BJP govt. Let PM campaign everywhere. We’re not scared. LS polls changed everything,” said the Congress leader.

Venugopal alleged that for the last three years, and especially during elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP have campaigned on “sole agenda of hate and division”. “They weren’t keen on addressing unemployment or social justice or farmers’ plight or women’s security, or Agnipath. When we raised people’s issues, the government moved to distract us through hate campaigns and polarisation. But we avoided their trap. Now, after LS poll results, the government is paying heed,” he said.

According to Venugopal, the Opposition is now deciding the country’s agenda which is “pro-people”. Emphasising that the Congress is confident about the outcome of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Congress leader said the party has a clear chance in Haryana and Maharashtra, and its alliance will win in J&K and Jharkhand. “But we cannot take anything complacently. So, there will be grassroots election plans, campaigning, and people's outreach. We’re not taking it easy. We’re taking it very seriously. But we’re confident Congress will win,” said Venugopal.

Explaining the party’s stance on various issues after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Venugopal said India’s affairs “were one-sided over the last 10 years”. “Bharat Jodo Yatra was the best thing Rahul Gandhi has done to draw focus to these issues. As opposition, we’re working to keep institutions neutral. This is not confrontational. It is constructive politics, the need of the hour,” he told TOI.

He alleged that under the BJP regime, the poor are becoming poorer and corporate houses are becoming richer. “GOI stands with the rich and we stand with the people. If confrontation is called for on behalf of the poor, we’re happy to do it,” he said.