Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is set to concentrate on two key southern states, Kerala and Karnataka, where he will campaign for party candidates. In Kerala, he is scheduled to campaign on April 15 and 16, followed by campaigning in Karnataka on April 17. The Congress aims to secure a significant number of seats from these states in the upcoming elections. Polling for Kerala’s 20 seats is scheduled for April 26, while Karnataka’s 28 seats will have polling in two phases on April 26 and May 7.
In the previous 2019 national polls, although the Congress was not in power in Kerala, the UDF alliance, led by the grand old party, won 19 out of 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Rahul Gandhi’s presence, particularly as a candidate from the Wayanad seat, was credited for the remarkable victory. In the current elections, Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Wayanad again, while AICC general secretary KC Venugopal has entered the fray from Alpuzzha. The UDF is optimistic about winning all 20 seats in Kerala.
In Karnataka, the Congress and JD-S contested the 2019 polls in alliance, but with limited success. However, in the 2023 Assembly elections, the Congress performed well, winning 135 out of 224 seats. In the upcoming polls, the Congress hopes to secure 20 seats based on its recent performance. Rahul Gandhi’s rallies are planned for Kolar and Mandya on April 17, out of the three seats contested by the JD-S. The Congress is facing challenges and infighting in some constituencies but remains confident of its performance.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shiv Kumar has assured the high command of winning the Kolar seat, while Mandya sees former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy contesting against Congress candidate Venkataramane Gowda. The Congress aims to highlight its achievements in the state government and its commitment to fulfilling promises made during the Assembly polls. Despite past challenges, the party is determined to secure a favorable outcome in both Kerala and Karnataka.
