Congress leaders, cadre uneasy over lack of funds for Jubilee Hills bypoll campaign

Dissent is growing within Congress over the alleged lack of funds for the Jubilee Hills bypoll campaign. Grassroots workers question the State leadership’s silence on campaign expenditure, alleging mismanagement and unmet financial promises as internal rifts deepen

Hyderabad: Discontent is brewing among Congress leaders and workers campaigning in the Jubilee Hills by-election over the lack of funds for poll activities. Despite repeated assurances from the State leadership, those on the ground are questioning why senior leaders are not loosening the purse strings, and have started asking where all the money has gone.

Party workers are puzzled about the campaign fund usually allocated to meet poll expenses. Although a few Ministers have visited the constituency over the past few days, their sluggish campaigning has left workers worried.

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The Ministers remain tight-lipped on campaign expenditure and are keeping a safe distance from taking responsibility for financial matters. Leaders at the grassroots level believe that a substantial sum has already been handed over to the State leadership. They are perplexed that even small expenses such as tea, snacks, and other routine costs are still being forced upon them.

Interestingly, none is taking interest in resolving this issue, according to party insiders.

Before the election notification was issued, there had been intense competition among aspirants for the party ticket. It is an open secret that a candidate’s financial strength often outweighs other considerations. Accordingly, many leaders believe a significant amount was already placed at the disposal of the State leadership. To oversee the campaign, a few Ministers were appointed as in-charges for the constituency.

Initially, these Ministers tried to motivate the cadre and attract public and media attention. However, internal differences soon surfaced reportedly, leaving the cadre demoralised and denting the party’s image. Adding to the discontent, a family member of the candidate reportedly remarked that the party should bear the campaign expenditure since they had already delivered what was ‘promised’ to the leadership, sources confide.

“More than Naveen Yadav’s contest, it is Congress party’s contest. The Congress will suffer more than the candidate if people deliver their verdict against the party,” the person is learned to have said.

Amidst growing disquiet among the cadre, there are also allegations that the Congress campaign in Bihar is being funded from Telangana. Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor is believed to have alleged that the Congress party is being heavily funded by its southern units, particularly Telangana.

As in Telangana, internal rifts among Ministers in Karnataka have reportedly hindered the generation of substantial party funds, placing the onus on Telangana to deliver, insiders claim.