Congress scales up student outreach, Rahul Gandhi to address 28 campus meets
Congress expands 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' to 800+ cities; Rahul Gandhi likely to lead 28 student interactions in first phase.
The Congress party is set to significantly expand its youth engagement initiative, 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', with plans to take the campaign to more than 800 cities in the coming months. The move is part of a broader strategy to build a sustained connect with students and young voters ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
As part of the first phase of this expansion, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is expected to address as many as 28 student interaction programmes. The initiative, which began as a series of direct dialogues with students, is now being positioned as a major organisational exercise for the party.
The plan was approved at the Congress Working Committee meeting held on August 19. According to party sources, Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal has directed leader Kanhaiya Kumar, who oversees frontal organisations including the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), to expedite the rollout. The immediate target is to establish the campaign in 100 cities by appointing dedicated coordinators.
So far, Rahul Gandhi has held student interactions in Kota, Prayagraj, Dehradun, and Pune, with another session scheduled in Indore. Sources indicate that he is likely to visit at least one major city in each state over the next few months. This includes potential stops in Guwahati for the Northeast, Patna and Purnea in Bihar, and Ranchi in Jharkhand.
The expansion comes as both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party intensify efforts to court young and first-time voters. The BJP has, since 2013, built a robust youth outreach network through its organisational strength and digital presence. The Congress, a relative latecomer to this space, is now seeking to position Rahul Gandhi as a voice for young people on issues such as unemployment, education, and economic opportunity.
For the party, the immediate challenge lies in converting these campus interactions into a durable political network that can translate into electoral support in the 2029 general elections.