Sonia Gandhi to sound poll bugle on Gandhi Jayanti in Rajkot

On the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation on October 2, AICC president Sonia Gandhi will formally kick-off Congress’s campaign for upcoming assembly elections from Rajkot, party sources said on Tuesday.

Before her public rally in Rajkot, Jasdan or Jetpur, she is likely to visit Kirti Mandir, birth place of Mahatma Gandhi at Porbandar before the formal launch of the election campaign for Congress at a massive public rally in Rajkot district.

Gandhi’s public rally from Rajkot – considered the hub of Saurashtra – is very symbolic. It signifies the importance Congress is giving the region in the upcoming elections, especially with former BJP stalwart Keshubhai Patel also active here.

Narendra Modi is also facing a challenge here as the dominant caste in the area, Leuva Patels, is believed to be upset with the BJP. Congress is trying hard to convert these votes in their favour.

“Apart from Jasdan, Jetpur and Kuvadava in the district, it’s likely that Gandhi may address a rally in Rajkot. It is a central location where voters from four districts can be brought together,” said a senior member of the party. The form distribution of 100-sq-yard plots promised to rural voters is likely to start at this rally.

Out of power for 15 years in the state, the oldest political party of the country is sensing a bright chance this year as its scheme promising houses to urban homeless – Ghar nu Ghar – has evoked tremendous response.

The focus for Congress right now is to ensure that they do not commit another gaffe like the infamous ‘maut ke saudagar’ comment of 2007. The buzz is that they want to focus on forward looking agenda and elaborate on the promises already announced, rather than just Modi-bashing.