Congress is gearing up to launch its signature “guarantees” campaign in the national capital, aiming to make a strong comeback in the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February.
Senior leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are set to roll out the promises in a phased manner starting January 6, sources said.
The move comes as the political battleground heats up with the BJP’s high-octane campaign spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s aggressive outreach efforts.
Congress leaders are banking on a five-pronged strategy to woo voters, focusing on welfare schemes and financial incentives. These “top five guarantees” will be unveiled incrementally between January 6 and January 12:
Mahila Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme: Congress promises to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 to women voters, aiming to enhance economic empowerment.
Health insurance scheme: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the party is expected to propose universal health insurance coverage with specific conditions to ensure viability.
Youth job guarantee: Targeting unemployed youth, Congress plans to introduce an apprenticeship scheme, hoping to resonate with first-time voters and job seekers.
Labour income guarantee scheme: This program seeks to secure a stable income for the labour class, a demographic Congress hopes to reclaim.
Ration for all: By promising subsidised rations to urban poor families, Congress is looking to revive its traditional vote bank that has largely shifted allegiance to AAP in recent years.
Congress is facing an uphill battle in the upcoming Delhi elections. The grand old party has struggled to regain its foothold in the national capital after being in power for 15 consecutive years until 2013. The party has failed to secure a single seat in the last two assembly polls, overshadowed by AAP’s dominance and BJP’s persistence.
The high-stakes elections are shaping up to be a three-way contest among Congress, AAP, and BJP. Despite being allies in the Opposition bloc INDIA, Congress and AAP are contesting against each other in Delhi.
So far, Congress has declared 48 candidates for the 70-member Assembly, with three lists released. On Friday, it announced that senior leader Alka Lamba would contest from the Kalkaji constituency, where she will face off against AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi.
Congress hopes its guarantees campaign will create a buzz and reinvigorate its support base. By addressing women, youth, labourers, and the urban poor, the party aims to rebuild its image as a pro-people alternative.
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