Jaipur: With Panchayati Raj elections approaching, Congress is working on a strategy to present a united front, distribute tickets early and mount a coordinated campaign involving state and local functionaries. The election notification is expected shortly.The party is drawing lessons from the recent urban local body polls, where Congress secured a substantial share of seats but faced challenges in forming boards. Candidate selection, cross-voting and coordination among local functionaries have emerged as key concerns.“Cross-voting is an issue the party will address by giving preference to workers who have been with Congress for a long time, held organisational or elected positions, served as panchayat representatives or have a history of working at the grassroots,” a party source said.The possibility of cross-voting is also being factored into the rural election strategy, particularly since Zila Parishad members will elect Zila Pramukhs through secret ballot. The party is therefore seeking greater coordination among elected members and its organisational network.
Congress’s Panchayat Raj Conference at Degana ahead of Panchayati Raj election in the state
Congress is also keen to avoid delays in ticket distribution, which leaders believe can fuel dissatisfaction and leave little time for campaign management.The elections will cover all 41 districts, including 14,403 gram panchayats and all panchayat samitis. Congress has been expanding its grassroots network by forming 21-member executive committees in every gram panchayat, with a plan to create more than 3.23 lakh rural office-bearers.
Congress’s Panchayat Raj Conference at Degana ahead of Panchayati Raj election in the state
Agrarian issues are expected to form a major part of the campaign. PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra has raised concerns over fertiliser availability, alleged fake seeds, absence of milk bonus and inadequate electricity and water for irrigation. “Why do farmers have to stand in queues for DAP for several days? Why are they being lathicharged?” Dotasra said, alleging that govt had failed to fulfil its promise of doubling farmers’ income.Congress members are also pointing to the narrow vote-share gap in the urban polls, saying the party was only 0.92 percentage points behind BJP, while the rural polls have traditionally offered Congress a stronger organisational base.BoxDotasra forms probe committeeRajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra Friday constituted a nine-member panel to probe complaints received from Bhilwara, Pali, Bharatpur and other urban local bodies following the 2026 civic polls. Former Assembly Speaker C P Joshi will head the panel. The panel has been asked to submit its report with recommendations within seven days.
