Strategist advises Congress to project Brahmin face

The Congress is looking for a Brahmin face in Uttar Pradesh.

Although there is no official word about the move, sources said political strategist Prashant Kishor has advised the party leadership to project a strong and effective Brahmin face for a top position either as a chief ministerial candidate or in the party.

“Yes, the Congress is looking for a Brahmin face keeping in view political strategist Prashant Kishor’s advice. A Congress supported post on social media quoting Prashant Kishor ‘UP jeetna hai to Congress ko brahmanon main paith bannana hoga’ (If you want to win Uttar Pradesh, you will have to make deep inroads among Brahmins) has evoked a favourable response from the people and the party is willing to go the PK’s way,” said a senior party leader.

As there have been instances when the campaign committee chairman has been projected as the chief ministerial candidate, the Congress is weighing various options and a final word from the top party bosses on the issue. The names of a number of leaders are already doing rounds. Yet, many of the names have not so far found favour with the top party bosses. “Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has already indicated that he is going to give more time to Uttar Pradesh in the coming months. Rahul’s tour to districts or campaign will not be in the form of public meetings. It’s going to be different this time. As the party proposes to declare candidates well in advance and launch an aggressive campaign early, a new party set-up, campaign committee and organisational incharge may come into force in next few weeks,” said another leader.

So, what is PK’s formula? “No, PK has no definite formula as of now. He is still getting feedback and collecting facts. Yet Prashant Kishor wants the Congress to work in such a manner that brings its lost vote banks back to the party fold.

It has already organised Dalit Leadership Conclave and efforts are being made to woo Dalits who are feeling alienated from the Bahujan Samaj Party. Efforts will be made to woo non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs) as well.

As BJP has opted for Keshav Maurya as its state president, the Congress will like to bring upper castes Brahmins and Kshatriyas to the fore by giving them important positions in the party’s election campaign set- up. There may not be a separate strategy to woo Muslims. It will be worked out later.

But the party feels the minorities usually vote in favour of strong or winning candidates,” he said. “The Congress will like to associate an important community with itself and a Brahmin face may do wonders,” said the leader.

Amidst speculations over various names, the party leaders are also holding discussions on possibilities of bringing Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into a more active role to bolster the party’s prospects in polls. “A demand to bring Priyanka has been raised in almost all the districts and almost at every level in the party. But there is no official word about this. It has to come from Priyanka herself or a member of the Gandhi family,” said the leader.