At the end of the third phase of polling, the Congress believes it is on course to again lead the UPA at the Centre.
At the end of the third phase of polling, the Congress believes it is on course to again lead the UPA at the Centre.
The reason for the optimism stems from the party’s belief that it can make substantial gains in Orissa, Rajasthan, Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab, and improve its performance in BJP-ruled Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.
"We are all set to add another 20 seats to our 2004 tally," says Veerappa Moily, the AICC general secretary and head of the party’s media cell.
The key to the Congress chances of forming the next government hinge on its ability to win most of the 171 seats that will go to polls in the two final phases. The party is, in particular, looking forward to the fourth phase where its strongholds, New Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab will be going to the polls along with West Bengal, Bihar, J&K and UP. The Congress is looking to pick up at least 11 more seats in Rajasthan and at least 9 more in Punjab as compared to the last elections.
The party’s poll managers say they are likely to win at least six of seven Lok sabha seats from Delhi and retain all the seats it had in Bihar. In West Bengal, the party is depending on its alliance with the Trinamool Congress to make a big dent in the Left’s stronghold. Party strategists are hoping that the truck with Mamata will be profitable for the Congress and help the combine win at least 20 seats.
Of the 171 seats that go to the polls in the next two phases, the Congress has short-listed 70 seats where it strongly fancies its chances. And the party is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a victory. Its strategy, therefore, is to concentrate all its energies and pour in all resources on campaigning for and winning these seats.
Campaigners and party activists are being diverted to these seats to help the party in he final phases of the election battle. On Friday morning, party treasurer Motilal Vora and senior leader Oscar Fernandes held a special briefing session with Seva Dal volunteers who were being rushed to West Bengal. The duo was heard directing the volunteers to be prepared to deal with the CPI-M’s strong arm tactics at the polling booths.
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