The Indian National Congress launched a crucial two-day strategic conclave, named 'Lakshya', in Sultan Bathery, Wayanad, on Sunday. This high-level brainstorming session, held ahead of the upcoming Kerala legislative assembly elections, brought together the party's top brass to formulate a cohesive battle plan and project a united front.
Venugopal Sets the Tone: Discipline and Winnability Paramount
Inaugurating the summit, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal laid down strict guidelines to prevent public infighting. He cautioned party members against declaring their candidacy or sparking public debates before official announcements. "Until the party decides, nobody should go public about candidature — their own or anyone else's," he stated firmly.
Venugopal emphasized that the party would expedite the candidate selection process this time, with winnability being the primary criterion. He revealed the ambitious goal for the United Democratic Front (UDF) to secure over 100 seats in the assembly. He also accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the BJP of attempting to create narratives of internal rift within the Congress, which the party must vigilantly counter.
Strategic Discussions and Regional Challenges
The session, attended by 158 senior leaders including MPs and MLAs, delved into granular campaign strategy. Key discussion points included:
- Dividing Kerala into three regions—north, central, and south—for tailored campaign approaches.
- Reviewing the performance and lessons from the recent local body elections.
- Finalizing main campaign themes and the proposed statewide 'Kerala Yatra' to be led by Opposition Leader V D Satheesan in February.
- Strengthening the party's social media offensive.
Several leaders stressed the need for early finalization of candidates, arguing it would allow nominees, especially younger ones, sufficient time to build a strong constituency presence—a perceived shortfall in the 2021 polls. Discussions on the southern region highlighted expectations of a tightly contested battle, with the CPI(M) likely to deploy its full organizational machinery.
Leadership Confidence and the Road to 2026
Responding to comparisons about leadership, Venugopal asserted that the Congress has "at least 10 leaders who are stronger" than Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph expressed confidence, citing UDF's gains in local body polls despite challenges like unscientific ward delimitation.
The conclave also saw senior leaders cautioning against complacency, noting that organizational gaps persist and more groundwork is essential. Sunil Kanugolu, the party's poll strategist, was present, underscoring the focus on data-driven campaigning. The blueprint for 'Mission 2026' is set to be presented by Satheesan on the summit's second day, outlining the long-term action plan.
Prominent attendees included AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunsi, Congress Working Committee members Ramesh Chennithala, Shashi Tharoor, and Kodikunnil Suresh, along with UDF convenor Adoor Prakash.
