The Congress stuck to its practice of not announcing a prime ministerial candidate by rejecting suggestions about projecting Rahul Gandhi.
It unveiled its election strategy that combines painting the principal opposition party as “communal” while simultaneously showcasing its progressive and pro-poor credentials in the various policy measures taken during the last 10 years.
The party identified price rise and corruption as the immediate issues that need to be dealt with as Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily announced that an increase in the quota of subsidised cooking gas, from 9 to 12, will be considered on a suggestion from Rahul Gandhi.
The party’s strategy was articulated in a day-long session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) which witnessed a loud clamour for Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to be anointed the party’s PM candidate.
Rahul addressed the issue directly by asserting that the decision to elect the Prime Minister rests with the people and their elected representatives, the Members of Parliament. To the consistent demand of “Rahul as PM” from the delegates, some of whom fished out Rahul Gandhi masks and shouted slogans at the venue, the Congress Vice-President said: “These days, the media decides everything. But we are a democratic party, we abide by the Constitution. About the Prime Minister, the Indian Constitution is clear that it is the MPs who decide who gets to be PM.”
Both Rahul and the Congress President Sonia Gandhi presented the Congress as a “secular, progressive and inclusive” party.