Guwahati, Feb 19 (.) Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar on Thursday expressed strong confidence in Congress party’s prospects in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, asserting that public sentiment favours change and will work against the ruling BJP.
Shivakumar said that multiple strategy meetings have already been held, with senior Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi and Bhupesh Baghel, actively engaged in election preparations.
Shivakumar began his visit to Assam by offering prayers at the Kamakhya Temple and sought blessings for a change in the state government.
He dismissed remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying, “That is why he is making such statements. He is not strong on his work. He is not strong on his commitment. You know that his party is losing here. That is why he is making baseless statements.”
Appointed as one of the senior observers for the Assam polls along with Bhupesh Baghel and Bandhu Tirkey, Shivakumar reiterated that people of Assam want change and will vote for Congress, calling on party workers to intensify ground efforts. He also emphasized the importance of positive affirmations for the campaign.
The Congress has stepped up its organisational efforts in Assam, with the central leadership launching a structured screening process for candidates led by Priyanka Gandhi that involves extensive travel across districts to gather grassroots feedback.
Party sources indicated that the first list of candidates could be announced by the end of February, with around 80 names expected to be finalised by early March.
Still, the party faces challenges, iincluding questions over leadership, uneven cadre mobilisation in some areas, and the need to forge strong alliances with regional partners to counter the BJP’s influence. Analysts say internal dynamics and factional debates could play a key role in shaping Congress’s strategy in the final run-up to the polls.
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