The Hindu : Congress claims a repeat of 1998 victory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 16, 2003

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Congress claims a repeat of 1998 victory

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR NOV. 15 . The Congress has claimed a victory similar to that of 1998 Assembly elections in Rajasthan for the party in the coming elections in the State. The claim, which has been made at the end of the filing of nomination papers by the official nominees of the parties, in terms of seats means a three fourth majority in a House of 200.

The Congress party had won 150 in the November elections and had added another three to its kitty when the elections to countermanded seats were held soon after.

The Pradesh Congress Committee (I) spokesman, Mohan Prakash, said here that the other parties, including the main Opposition, the BJP, were now on an effort to take the number two slot in the State.

"The BJP is a demoralised force which is struggling to retain even its number two position competing with the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Indian National Lok Dal and others,'' he stated.

Mr.Prakash said the BJP cadre was unhappy over distribution of tickets to a large number of "non-members'' in the party. "The movers of the party for the past 20 years or so have been relegated the background,'' he pointed out.

"In contrast the Congress tickets have been given to either no.1 or the no.2 person in the line. The BJP tickets have gone to rank outsiders,'' he charged.

Talking about the organisational arrangements for the poll campaign coordination, Mr.Prakash said one Central observer would be posted for each of the four Assembly seats in the State. Six AICC (I) observers, who have been in the State for some time will hold fort in each of the six divisions, he said.

The Congress would have at least one senior leader of the party joining the campaign in one of the divisions at any given day once the full fledged campaign starts.

The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, would address over a dozen meetings spending at least three days in Rajasthan. The first of such meetings of Ms.Gandhi in Rajasthan is proposed on November 20 in Dholpur and Karauli.

The programmes of the Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, and the PCC (I) president, Girija Vyas, also are being chalked out. Mr.Prakash said the Congress in Rajasthan had no plans for any "hi-tech'' campaigns or for programmes participating the film stars.

"The Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, will be our star campaigner and maximum demand is for him. The party also wants him to visit maximum number of constituencies though covering all the 200 seats from now looks physically impossible.

As such he has already covered a number of seats,'' Mr.Prakash pointed out.

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Congress claims a repeat of 1998 victory