Congress Working Towards "Mission 274 Plus": Anand Sharma; clarifies 300, not 150 is target

NEW DELHI: The Congress today said it aims to remove the Narendra Modi-led government from power and its mission was '274-plus' with the support of like-minded parties in the 2019 general elections.

The opposition party's senior spokesperson Anand Sharma said members of the Working Committee and other leaders at the extended CWC session did not talk of "Mission 150" but of "Mission 274-plus", a number above the simple majority mark of 272 in the lower house.

"The Congress mission is to remove the BJP government led by Narendra Modi from office. And our mission is not 150, our mission is 274-plus, along with like-minded parties," he told reporters here.

The former Union minister said a "wrong perception" has been created in the media and many channels are saying that the party has evolved a "Congress Mission 150" strategy.

In a detailed presentation made during yesterday's CWC meet, former finance minister P Chidambaram said the party can easily achieve the target of tripling its seats from current 48 in the Lok Sabha. He had also said that across 12 states, the party could easily win 150 seats. Sources said Mr Chidambaram had also talked of how the party can be strengthened with the help of allies in various states and even touch the 300-mark if it forms formidable alliances.

The deliberations of the CWC meeting were briefed for the media by senior party leader Ashok Gehlor and party spokesperson Surjewala, who said that if Congress wins 200 seats, Rahul would naturally become the leader of the Opposition alliance. He asserted that Rahul would be the face and champion of the party.

(with input from PTI)