After 2015 drubbing, Congress goes back to grassroots in Delhi

Starts work to mobilise support for 2017 municipal body elections; eyes Assembly seats if bypolls happen

After a dismal performance in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, the Congress party has already started preparations for the coming municipal polls scheduled for early 2017. As ground work, the party held meetings in each of the 280 blocks and took on the Bharatiya Janata Party over the Narendra Modi-led central government’s decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Delhi has 70 Assembly constituencies, each of which has four blocks. The Congress covered all the 280 blocks over two days -- December 13 and 14. “A team of four people were formed in each block and they were responsible for the work. Former MPs and MLAs, candidates from the previous elections and municipal councillors addressed at least six-seven blocks each," said Chattar Singh, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee media incharge.

Singh said DPCC Chief Ajay Maken alone addressed at least 20 blocks in two days. While the public meeting was for two days, the protest against demonetisation would continue till December 30. After block meetings, centralised protest against the BJP’s note-ban move would be held in Delhi.

After he announced the demonetisation move, Modi had asked people to give him 50 days within which all the hardships faced by the common man would be over. And, December 30 is the 50th day. After this period is over, the Congress would also raise questions to the Modi government and its handling of the demonetisation implementation process.

At present, the municipal corporation in the national capital is controlled by the Bharatiya Janata Party. In recent months, there have been several instances of rift between the BJP-controlled municipal bodies and the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government.

As far as the selection of candidates for the municipal body election is concerned, the Congress is going to fall back on Maken, senior party leader P C Chacko and other committee members. “Young members and NSUI (National Students’ Union of India) members will be given a chance," Singh said.

The Congress will also attack the AAP government on a host of issues, such as unemployment, lack of developmental work, and huge spending on advertisements.

Also, the Congress is eyeing an opportunity in reports that 21 AAP MLAs holding office of profit as chief parliamentary secretaries could be disqualified. In such a scenario, there could be bypolls in the 21 seats they represent. “If bypolls happen, we are confident of winning at least 15 of the 21 seats,” Singh added.