Congress Concerned Over Campaign Lapses In Kochi Constituency
Kochi, Kerala: The Congress party is facing concerns in the Kochi constituency, where District Congress Committee (DCC) President Muhammed Shiyas is contesting in the Assembly elections. Party leaders have internally assessed that the election campaign did not progress effectively in the constituency.
According to leaders, those who were entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the campaign failed to carry out their duties properly. It is also alleged that the campaign was largely coordinated by leaders from outside Kochi, which affected its effectiveness on the ground.
There has also been criticism that the party failed to effectively counter communal propaganda allegedly carried out against Muhammed Shiyas during the campaign.
Another major concern raised within the party is that Dominic Presentation, a prominent Congress leader in Kochi, did not participate even in the final campaign rally. Leaders say he stayed away citing health issues.
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also attended a programme in Kochi during the campaign. However, the event reportedly witnessed low turnout, and visuals of empty chairs from the programme circulated widely.
Even the venue initially fixed for the final rally had to be changed, adding to the campaign difficulties. At the same time, the Kaasa allegedly carried out large-scale communal propaganda against Muhammed Shiyas during the campaign period.
The Congress party is expected to conduct an internal review regarding these developments soon. However, party leaders have so far refrained from speaking publicly about the issue. For the Congress, Kochi is considered one of the constituencies in Ernakulam district where the party fears a possible defeat in the election.
(This story is part of a Timeline. internship project “Whom They Voted For: Celebrating The Election Festival”. This internship project is being organised aimed at helping young minds understand the electoral process of the country.)
