Assembly Elections – Priyanka Gandhi to Visit Assam for Poll Talks
Assembly Elections – Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is set to visit Assam for two days as part of the party’s preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Temple Visit and Key Party Meetings Planned
Priyanka Gandhi, who serves as Chairperson of the Congress Screening Committee and represents Wayanad in Parliament, will arrive in the state on Thursday. Her itinerary begins with a visit to the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, where she will offer prayers before heading to Rajiv Bhawan, the headquarters of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.
Party officials said she will participate in a series of meetings starting at 11 a.m., focusing primarily on discussions related to the candidate selection process. The deliberations are expected to continue late into the evening as the party accelerates its electoral groundwork.
The visit was officially confirmed during a press briefing addressed by AICC general secretary in charge of Assam, Jitendra Singh, along with Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi.
Structured Candidate Screening Underway
Speaking at the press conference, Singh explained that the Screening Committee, led by Priyanka Gandhi, would interact extensively with leaders from the Block Congress units, representatives of frontal organisations and grassroots workers. The objective, he noted, is to ensure a transparent and methodical approach to identifying candidates for the Assembly elections.
He described the current exercise as one of the most comprehensive screening efforts undertaken by the party in Assam so far. According to him, the leadership intends to involve local party functionaries more closely in the decision-making process, allowing feedback from various levels of the organisation to shape the final list of nominees.
Singh also indicated that Priyanka Gandhi’s upcoming visit is unlikely to be her only engagement in the state before the polls. He said she is expected to return multiple times in the coming months to assess the political atmosphere and coordinate campaign strategy.
Candidate List Expected Soon
Gaurav Gogoi stated that the party aims to conclude the screening process at the earliest. If discussions with the central leadership proceed as planned, the first list of Congress candidates could be announced by the end of February.
He asserted that the Congress has already advanced significantly in its election planning compared to earlier cycles. Gogoi added that talks are in progress with other Opposition parties to explore possible alliances ahead of the Assembly elections. While he did not elaborate on specific arrangements, he said discussions were being held with like-minded groups.
Criticism of State Government
During the media interaction, Gogoi also directed criticism at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He questioned the Chief Minister’s authority to speak on matters relating to Hindu leadership and referred to allegations involving land and cattle syndicates.
Gogoi further mentioned recent political developments concerning senior leaders and alleged attempts to divert attention from issues he described as significant. Among them, he cited claims related to approximately 12,000 bighas of land allegedly linked to the Chief Minister’s family. He maintained that such matters warrant clarity and public discussion.
Focus on Organisational Coordination
Party leaders emphasised that Priyanka Gandhi’s visit is intended not only to oversee the screening exercise but also to strengthen coordination within the state unit. By engaging directly with local leaders and workers, the central leadership aims to streamline campaign planning and improve organisational cohesion ahead of the elections.
With the Assembly polls drawing closer, political activity in Assam is expected to intensify. The Congress leadership’s visit signals the party’s effort to consolidate its base and present a structured campaign strategy in the coming weeks.