Elections 2022: Senior Congress Leaders Meet Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka. Strategy For Poll Results Discussed

While addressing the media, Chhatisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said that the ongoing assembly elections of the five states were discussed in the meeting.

New Delhi: Senior Congress leaders held a meeting on Sunday where they discussed the ongoing assembly elections as well the party's strategy regarding poll results to be announced on March 10.

The meeting was attended by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Chhatisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, and MP KC Venugopal. 

After the meeting, Chhatisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel revealed that the ongoing assembly elections of the five states were discussed in the meeting.

“Had a meeting with KC Venugopal. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Ashok Gehlot today. Detailed discussion on Assembly Elections in the five states was taken up. Strategy regarding results that will be announced on 10th March was also discussed,” Baghel said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also gave a statement on what was discussed in the meeting.

“Detailed discussion on polls in 5 states and the way forward was done. There are challenges by the present Govt, Constitution and democracy under threat. Congress is the only Oppn party today, people have expectations. It's our duty to see what we can contribute to the party,” he informed.

The discussion came days after the Rajasthan government announced its budget and reverted to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Congress is also urging other states to restore the OPS. 

Gehlot said that a discussion regarding the pension scheme was held in the meeting. “Our decision regarding the Old Pension Scheme was well thought out, it was decided on humanitarian grounds. If a govt employee is not secure after retirement, what will he save? He will keep wondering about the pension. What work will he do?” he questioned.

He also said that “Confidence regarding post-retirement should be instilled in them. Everyone was disheartened by the decision (New Pension Scheme). You can't fathom the feeling of the people as they met me after we took the decision (to implement Old Pension Scheme).”

Gehlot-led Rajasthan government’s decision to revert to OPS has somehow become an election issue as well. Last week, Priyanka Gandhi hailed the Rajasthan government’s decision. 

“The Congress government of Rajasthan has taken a big decision in the interest of government employees by implementing the Old Pension Scheme. The Congress party is fully dedicated to the interests of government employees. We have worked in the interest of the public, will continue to work,” she wrote on twitter.