‘The results of the coming Assembly elections will be surprising’

Among the Opposition parties, Congress alone has a presence across the country, says former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and current head of the party’s State unit

Arguing that the Congress still rules the Opposition space in India, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and current president of the party’s State unit speaks to The Hindu’s on the significance of the upcoming Assembly elections in five States and their impact on both the party and the Opposition.

Every election is significant. The question, however, is to what context we should look at these polls. The Lok Sabha elections are still a good two-and-a-half years away. There will be many lessons to be learnt. And I believe the results of these elections will be surprising. Today, we have, largely, a very enlightened electorate, [which is] very different from what we had ten or 20 years ago. I am confident this electorate can see for themselves that no section of society is happy.

I recently visited Uttar Pradesh and I think she is doing fantastic work. She has managed to light a spark within the Congress and it is now for the Congress cadres to take it forward.