2019 polls: Eyeing broad alliance, Cong not to name Rahul as PM candidate

Congress is working to build an opposition front with other parties in preparation for the vote

premium

Congress President Rahul Gandhi is greeted by State President Kamal Nath as Congress leader and MP Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia looks on, at the airport ahead of a roadshow, in Bhopal, Monday, Sept 17, 2018.

Reuters

Last Updated : Oct 23 2018 | 10:09 AM IST

India’s main opposition Congress party said on Monday it would not name its leader Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate of an alliance seeking to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi in next year’s general election.

Congress is working to build an opposition front with other parties in preparation for the vote, and spokesman Sanjay Jha said it would respect the “aspirations” of potential alliance partners though no alternative candidates will be nominated.

Jha said the party would be following the same strategy as it did in 2004 when its alliance defeated a coalition led by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) without