“Don’t turn Uttar Pradesh into Gujarat”. This was the Congress’ appeal to the people after the BJP made Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as its election campaign committee chief.
The message is loud and clear. The BJP will be the main rival of the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections in UP. It has come at a time when the party workers are confused over who is the party’s main adversary — the ruling Samajwadi Party or the main Opposition BSP — in the state.
Gujarat was once the BJP’s Hindutva laboratory but now has turned into Modi land where personal loyalty becomes more important than ideological convictions.
Talking to mediapersons on Wednesday, Congress general secretary and party affairs in-charge in UP Madhusudan Mistry said, “I will tell people, don’t allow Uttar Pradesh to become Gujarat.”
Responding to questions about the role of BJP pointsman for UP Amit Shah and whether the state will see polarisation in the electoral battle, he said, “I hope polarisation does not take place. But the BJP can do anything.”
Mr Mistry will be going to Lucknow on June 28 and meet senior party leaders, legislators and MPs. This will be a one-day trip to the state after him assuming the charge of the state. After that he will tour the state. To a question on who is the Congress’ main adversary, he clarified that his priority is strengthening the organisation.