However, the timing, planning and location of these meets have been questioned by a section of party leaders.
Congress has through its Mera Booth Mera Gaurav (MBMG) programmes, attempted to consolidate its cadre at the grass-roots. The outreach programme convened by PCC chief Sachin Pilot has been garnering a favourable response.
However, the timing, planning and location of these meets have been questioned by a section of party leaders.
Muslims have traditionally voted for the Congress in Rajasthan. The MBMG meets organised in Muslim-dominated constituencies during the holy month of Ramzan are being called out as tactical error by some.
If the recently held MBMG sammelans in Sikar are taken into consideration, the attendance has not been up to expectations. This is largely being attributed to people observing Roza (fast) and hence their disinclination in stepping out.
Like Sikar, Lakshmangarh, Fathepur and Khandela, where muslims are a sizeable constituent of the electorate MBMG sammelans were organised during Ramzan. In Srimadhopur, Data Ramgarh and Neem Ka Thana areas, where their numbers are on the lower side, voter outreach programmes would be organised after 24 June, when Ramzan is over.
“Muslims make up a large share of the crowd that comes for Congress meets and some of them abstained due to Ramzan,” confirmed a Congress leader in Sikar.
In Pali, Barmer, Chittorgarh and Pratapgarh too MBMG programmes were organized during the holy month. According to a senior Congress leader, “We are assured that Muslims will vote in favour of the Congress, but it was an ideal opportunity to interact with them during this period.”
PCC office bearers, however, are extremely optimistic over the Muslim voter turnout in the events and their continued alignment with the Congress in state.
PROGRAMMES BEING CHALKED WITH CARE
- State spokesperson for Congress Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said the organisational programmes are decided on basis of party’s requirements and outreach programmes have in past yielded results despite festive or auspicious occasions. “Even on the day Congress organised its rally in Delhi, it was an auspicious marriage date when hundreds of ceremonies were planned. It’s a poll-bound state and Congress is carefully chalking out its programmes.”
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