Encouraged by the success of its recent rallies in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is now holding a two-day convention in Varanasi on May 18 and 19 to discuss the strategy for the next Assembly elections.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi will address the gathering on May 19 while Mr Rahul Gandhi is expected to attend the inaugural session.
The choice of Varanasi as the venue for the convention is significant since the Congress wants to keep the focus on Purvanchal for the next Assembly elections. The party’s earlier rally was held in Basti while a recent one was held in Banda in Bundelkhand.
The two-day convention will focus on the major challenges that the Congress faces in the coming Assembly elections, particularly the Samajwadi Party which is likely to garner considerable Muslim support. “The organisational weaknesses of the party that often disable the party’s campaign will also be scrutinised. We will invite views and then draw up our strategy,” said a senior UPCC leader.