Cong panel to dissect election drubbing

Ahmedabad: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday set up a fact-finding committee to evaluate the results of the recent assembly elections in Gujarat and suggest measures to be taken by the party.The committee will be headed by Nitin Raut and the other members will be Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka. The committee has been asked to submit its report to the party president in two weeks.The Congress faced its worst-ever rout in the December 2022 assembly elections, and state party leaders alleged that it was because of the ruling party’s money and muscle power, coupled with blatant misuse of government machinery. The party also said that the Election Commission remained a mute spectator to complaints lodged by the Congress during the election.Local Congress leaders said all aspects of the defeat — the worst in Gujarat’s electoral history — will be discussed with the three-member committee. “Several representations have been made individually by leaders and workers as well. The committee will also suggest organizational changes, if needed, in its report,” said a senior state leader.