The Congress party had planned khat sabhas, in which khats (traditional cots) are put out for the gathering to sit, as an innovative way to boost the party’s farmer outreach. At one khat sabha, Gandhi addressed the crowd for a little over seven minutes, with several party supporters attending. Congress’ campaign in Uttar Pradesh is being handled by poll strategist Prashant Kishor and his team. “We don’t see what is so wrong or problematic in this,” a senior Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh said, requesting anonymity. “People who took the cots away were residents of nearby villages; they are all very dear to the Congress party.

Source: Mint September 06, 2016 16:35 UTC