Rahul Gandhi, former president of the Indian National Congress, is set to channel his political endeavors toward two prominent southern territories. He aims to rally support for party representatives in Kerala on April 15th and 16th, and then in Karnataka on April 17th. Party coordinators anticipate a substantial acquisition of parliamentary seats from these southern regions. Kerala will conduct voting for 20 constituencies on April 26th, while Karnataka’s 28 constituencies will undergo polling in two stages on April 26th and May 7th.
Despite Congress not holding power in Kerala during the previous 2019 national elections, the grand alliance led by Congress (UDF) secured 19 out of 20 Lok Sabha seats within the state. Congress vied for 16 seats and triumphed in 15, while allies IUML secured two seats, RSP claimed one, and KCM captured one.
This remarkable success was ascribed to the influence of then-Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who contended in Wayanad for the first time. As of 2024, Rahul is once more vying for Wayanad, with AICC General Secretary for Organization KC Venugopal also entering the race from Alappuzha. The UDF remains optimistic about clinching all 20 seats.
“Our party members are invigorated, and the campaign is proceeding with vigor, anchored in the party’s social welfare assurances. The presence of Rahul Gandhi enhances the momentum,” AICC Secretary for Kerala P Vishwanathan conveyed to ETV Bharat.
Party sources divulge that Rahul plans to campaign in Thiruvananthapuram, Wayanad, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam during his two-day journey, though demands have emerged from additional districts. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, Congress and JD-S contested the 2019 elections as allies. Congress fielded candidates in 21 seats, securing only one, while JD-S contested seven seats and also won just one. Contrarily, the BJP contested in 27 of 28 Karnataka seats, claiming victory in 25.
For the 2024 elections, Congress faces the BJP-JD-S coalition and anticipates success in 20 seats based on the 2023 Assembly election results, where Congress achieved victory in 135 of 224 seats, its best performance in over three decades.
Among the three seats being contended by the now rival JD-S—Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar—Congress tacticians have selected Kolar and Mandya for Rahul’s rallies on April 17th.
In Kolar, Congress encountered internal discord regarding a potential party candidate tied to senior leader KH Muniyappa. Ultimately, they put forth a younger candidate, KV Gowtham, who is set to challenge JD-S’s Mallesh Babu for the seat, which was previously held by the BJP.
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shiv Kumar recently convened with party leader Mallikarjun Kharge for strategic discussions and assured the central leadership of winning the Kolar seat. In Mandya, former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy faces off against Congress candidate Venkataramane Gowda.
“Our state government fulfilled all key assurances made before the Assembly elections, bringing tangible benefits to the populace. This time, the 25 commitments will amplify that message. We are optimistic about securing strong outcomes in the state,” AICC Secretary for Karnataka Abhishek Dutt shared with ETV Bharat.
“We made sacrifices by ceding the Chief Minister’s position to JD-S in 2018 to prevent BJP’s ascendancy, yet they betrayed us and aligned with the saffron party,” he added.
