With a “good” feedback about the performance of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in the just-concluded Assam Assembly polls, the results of which are awaited, the Congress High Command is now considering to utilise his political and election management acumen in Uttar Pradesh that goes to polls early next year.
When the Congress roped in Baghel to take charge of Assam Assembly poll, the party was nowhere in the race. But three months down the line, he turned the Assam election into a cliff-hanger.
AICC sources said Baghel’s name is being discussed for larger responsibilities in the longer run. “Whatever the outcome on May 2, even the Assam State unit has given a respectable feedback about Baghel and his team to the top leaders of the party,” a senior AICC leader said.
While Baghel is back to his State following the conclusion of the polls in the North Eastern State after creating a buzz that the Congress-led Mahajot alliance is on a stronger wicket in Assam, AICC leaders are keen on giving him a similar responsibility in Uttar Pradesh. A decision is to be taken soon in this regard, the leader added.
Baghel’s decision-making team in Assam comprised his political secretary Vinod Verma, his media adviser Ruchir Garg, and Raipur MLA Vikas Upadhyay. Parliamentary Affairs adviser to the CM Rajesh Tiwari formed the core advisory group for the Assam poll preparations.
The appointment of Tiwari as AICC secretary for Uttar Pradesh recently is being seen as a step in this direction.
A senior Congress leader said the experiment of deputing a Chief Minister to oversee the poll campaign in another state has been a success. He attributed it to be the brainchild of former party chief Rahul Gandhi.
Congress came to power in Chhattisgarh in 2018 by defeating the Raman Singh-led BJP Government after 10 years. With its former stalwart Ajit Jogi out of its camp, Baghel emerged as the high command’s choice for chief ministership piping others like TS Singh Deo to the post.
Assembly elections in UP are due in January 2022 and the Congress is planning to go all out in the State which has always played a major role in national politics for any political party. Ahead of the General elections 2019, Priyanka Gandhi came into the active politics of Congress and was handed over the charge of Uttar Pradesh by the then AICC chief Rahul Gandhi and their mother UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. However, that didn’t improve the Congress’ prospects.
Baghel’s strategy to get Priyanka address meetings in Upper Assam to woo the tea growers is being see as a very good move. Priyanka campaigned extensively in the north eastern State. Another strategy to announce Rs 2000 per month to support all homemakers too seemed to have worked well for the campaign, sources said.
Baghel and his team camped in Assam for over two months to oversee the poll preparations and he himself addressed several public meetings and conducted road-shows. Pockets where Rahul and Priyanka’s could not reach, Baghel dedicated more time and also ensured that the Central leaders are there to meet as many voters as they could.
“Rather than trumpeting through audio systems, Baghel’s team ensured to communicate the Congress’ agenda in person to voters and families. It was to counter the large popularity of Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his direct public connect in the NE States,” said the senior leader.