Bengaluru: All India Congress Committee (AICC) former chief Sonia Gandhi will not take part in the election campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls in Karnataka. As done in Gujarat, party President Rahul Gandhi will lead the campaign from the front.
According to AICC sources, the Congress leaders wanted Sonia Gandhi to be a part of the campaign. But, she has decided to keep away from the campaign. She wants Rahul Gandhi to take the complete responsibility for the campaign as it was done in Gujarat.
One of the Congress leaders said that there was a feeling in the state that Sonia has a stronger influence than Rahul. So, it was decided to invite Sonia for the election campaign. But, now tactics have been changed, said another leader.
According to the Congress leaders, Sonia Gandhi had to drop her election campaign during the Himachal Pradesh elections because of health issues. She could not participate in the Gujarat election campaign as well.
During the first weeks of January, Rahul Gandhi will conduct big rallies in several parts of the state. He will participate in many rallies and public functions till the end of the campaign, sources said. Congress state-in charge K C Venugopal also said that they are preparing for Rahul Gandhi’s rallies and are yet to think about Sonia Gandhi’s visit.
Another leader of the Congress party defined the Karnataka assembly poll as a fight between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. “We will face the challenge on the basis of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s image and the achievement of the state government,” said a leader.
