The Congress on Wednesday deployed its top leaders in Himachal Pradesh, which votes on November 12, to spread the word about its promised comprehensive welfare package that appears to have caught people’s attention more than the BJP’s “double-engine” rhetoric.

While Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a meeting in Shimla rural, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel and Sachin Pilot campaigned elsewhere in the hill state.

Priyanka Gandhi, who has spearheaded the electioneering in Himachal with Rahul Gandhi away on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, will address a public meeting and hold a door-to-door campaign on Thursday — the last day of the campaign for the single-phase poll.

The Congress promise to restore the old pension scheme for government employees has emerged as the defining narrative of the campaign, apart from the 10-point resolve for public welfare that the BJP ecosystem tried to vilify as “rewri” (freebie) culture.

The party’s leaders are now questioning the source of resources to implement the welfare package. Kharge guaranteed the implementation of every single promise and Baghel said the Centre cannot block the restoration of the old pension scheme.

“It is already in operation in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. We have demonstrated how promises are fulfilled. When we promised Rs 2,500 per quintal for paddy, the BJP said it would not be possible. Now we are giving Rs 2,610. We waived farm loans within two hours of taking oath. The old pension scheme will be cleared at the first cabinet meeting of our government in Himachal,” Baghel said.

The Congress leaders have avoided political rhetoric and focused on the 10-point pledge that includes LPG cylinder at Rs 500, and a sum of Rs 1,500 every month for one woman in every household.

They have promised to fill the 63,000 vacancies and create five lakh jobs in five years, besides setting up a startup fund for youths.

To the apple growers, an influential community in Himachal, the party has promised a say in fixing the minimum support price.

Kharge said: “Do you want a government that allows the corporate houses to buy apples for Rs 50 and sell the same for Rs 200 per kg in cities? Forget the promised two crore jobs every year, there are 13 lakh vacancies and Modi is organising big events to distribute 75,000 appointment letters. The BJP cannot do anything except abuse the Congress. We have a proven track record of executing the welfare agenda as manifest in the MGNREGA and Food Security Act.”