Lok Sabha ticket hints at waning Congress’s larger plans for Kanhaiya Kumar in Delhi

Whatever the outcome in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat from which Kanhaiya Kumar has been fielded by the Congress, the 37-year-old is set to play a bigger role in the Capital for the party, which has been on a downward spiral.

BJP leaders contest that the entry of the firebrand student activist-turned-politician, from a seat that saw one of Delhi’s worst riots four years ago, will only help polarise the polls to its benefit. Party leaders said they are raring to unfold a ‘Communist (given Kanhaiya’s Leftist and JNU background) vs Sanatan Dharma’ narrative.

However, the Congress, as per its leaders, is playing the long game here.

Its newfound ally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has essentially taken over the space vacated by the Congress in Delhi, also senses this. AAP sources told The Indian Express that the party itself “seriously considered” inducting Kanhaiya at one point, and that the Congress could claw back some ground if it uses Kanhaiya well.

As an educated, impressive orator fluent in Hindi, a Poorvanchali face, a national name, and an activist who found his political feet in Delhi, Kanhaiya checks the right boxes for both the parties.

A senior Delhi Congress leader said: “The Congress high command, especially Rahul (Gandhi) ji, envisions Kanhaiya as among the promising Congressmen who can be handed over the baton not only in terms of the party’s ideology but its organisation as well.”

A veteran Congress leader, with nearly three decades of association with the party in the Capital, said: “Kanhaiya is just 37, the party will cultivate him for bigger responsibilities, especially organisational… Irrespective of what he is able to achieve in these elections, a growing section sees him as future PCC president.”

It will