Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora on Friday said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chairperson of the Screening Committee for Assam, held extensive discussions with party leaders from the state ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Speaking after a party meeting, Bora said Priyanka Gandhi recently visited Assam and interacted with leaders at every level, from block presidents to district presidents and PCC office-bearers. He said the chairpersons of four key committees constituted in view of the state elections were called to New Delhi for one-on-one discussions with her to deliberate on the overall political situation and election strategy. Suggestions were sought from the leaders regarding preparations and planning, he added.
Responding to questions about party leaders quitting, Bora said defections happen in every political party, including the BJP. He maintained that such developments would have no impact on the Congress, asserting that the party remains strong in Assam.
When asked whether the Congress had a strategy to bring BJP leaders into its fold, Bora said the party does have a plan but declined to reveal details. “If we disclose everything to the media, the game will be over. We will show things at the right time,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, several senior Assam Congress leaders arrived at 10 Janpath to meet Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Among those who held separate meetings with her were Election Management Committee Chairman Ripun Bora, Manifesto Committee Chairman Pradyut Bordoloi, Coordination Committee Chairman Debabrata Saikia, and Publicity Committee Chairman Rakibul Hussain. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief Gaurav Gogoi is also scheduled to hold a separate discussion with Priyanka Gandhi.