Congress deliberates on defeat in Rajasthan Assembly election

Congress reviews Rajasthan election results; to prepare for 2024 LS polls. At AICC meet, Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Gehlot, Venugopal present. Party to address shortcomings, fight LS polls unitedly; accountability to be fixed soon. Gehlot alleges BJP used lies, deceit, polarisation to win. Questions BJP's delay in appointing new CM.

Having lost power in Rajasthan, the Congress reviewed the recent Assembly election results at a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, while affirming that it would start preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge presided over the meeting at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in the presence of acting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other leaders from the State.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal were also present at the meeting. AICC Rajasthan in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa told presspersons after the meeting that the “in-depth discussion” had dealt with the shortcomings responsible for the party’s defeat, which would be addressed, and decided to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha election unitedly.

Also Read | Why the Congress lost Rajasthan 

“Our vote share was a little less than the BJP and it also improved by 0.44% from the last time. Several Congress candidates lost by a narrow margin [of votes]. The performance in Rajasthan was better than other States,” Mr. Randhawa said, adding that the party would look into why it was left behind. Mr. Randhawa also said that accountability would be fixed soon for the party’s loss.

Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot were among the leaders from Rajasthan present at the meeting. Mr. Randhawa said the block and booth-level party workers and district unit presidents had worked hard during the election and the party would approach the people with its vision for the Lok Sabha election.

Asked about his offer to resign as the State in-charge, Mr. Randhawa said he had told the party leadership that he was willing to serve in this capacity only till the election, as he had to concentrate on Punjab as well. He said the number of seats won in Rajasthan was “quite significant”.

Also Read: Rajasthan Assembly election results | Gujjar disenchantment costs the Congress dearly