Cong decides not to engage in TV debates for a month

Often at the receiving end since its debacle in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress on Thursday declared that it will not participate in television debates for a month.

“Congress has decided not to send spokespersons on television debates for a month,” Randeep Singh Surjewala, in-charge of the AICC Communication Department said.

“All media channels/editors are requested to not place Congress representatives on their shows,” he added.

However, Congress leaders will continue to articulate its point of view through press conferences.

The decision follows similar steps announced by its friendly political outfits – the Samajwadi Party and the Janata Dal(S).

SP President Akhilesh Yadav had removed all media panellists of the party who participated in television debates, while the JD(S) issued a directive to its leaders against making any statements to the media.

Since its massive loss in the Lok Sabha elections on May 23, the Congress is going through a turmoil with its President Rahul Gandhi adamant on quitting the post despite the Congress Working Committee (CWC) rejecting his offer to step down.

Party leaders are also debating its communication strategies that have failed to strike a chord with the voters, who wholeheartedly backed the BJP campaign centred around the personality of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress had raised issues such as agrarian distress, unemployment, allegations of corruption in the purchase of Rafale fighter jets from France, which could not stand against the high-pitch nationalism of the BJP, particularly in the aftermath of the Balakot air strikes.