After the Lok Sabha elections, there was a glimmer of hope that the Congress party was on a comeback trail. It had managed to increase its numerical strength in the Lok Sabha from 54 to 99 seats, setting the stage to stake a claim for the Leader of the Opposition role, potentially filled by Rahul Gandhi. This boost led many to believe that the Congress was set for a revival. However, the optimism surrounding this resurgence appears to have been short-lived. The party’s struggles in subsequent state assembly elections, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana, reveal deeper issues that the Congress must confront if it hopes to regain its political foothold. In Jammu and Kashmir, where the Congress contested 32 seats in the 90-member assembly, it managed to secure only 6 seats. This poor showing underscores a significant decline in its influence in a region where it once held considerable sway. While the party fared slightly better in Haryana, increasing its tally from 31 to 35-36 seats and even improving its vote share to a notable 11% (40%) marginally above the BJP’s 39%—it still fell short of forming a government. The overconfidence of Congress, relying on exit poll predictions that suggested a sweeping victory, only to be deflated when the actual EVM results rolled in, reflects a critical gap between perception and reality. One of the Congress party’s major pitfalls has been its failure to address the core issues that resonate with voters. The party’s narrative on unemployment, the Agniveer scheme, and price rise has often appeared disconnected from ground realities. Instead of engaging in constructive criticism or presenting viable solutions, the Congress has frequently resorted to divisive politics and appeasement strategies. Its promises of unfeasible freebies in states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana might have brought short-term electoral gains, but the long-term damage to state economies has been considerable. Telangana’s debt has skyrocketed to over ₹5 lakh crores, and Karnataka is grappling with a spate of new taxes to manage its fiscal woes. Such economic mismanagement has become a recurring theme in states where the Congress has taken power through similar tactics.
Adding to the party’s woes is the consistent controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s public statements. His remarks on foreign soil, including in the United States, where he appeared to criticize India, have only served to tarnish the country’s image internationally. His alleged interactions with figures like George Soros, often viewed as destabilizers in global politics, have not helped the party’s reputation either. The most damaging claim, however, was Rahul’s assertion that Sikhs in India cannot freely wear the Kada, which struck a nerve not only in Haryana but also in Jammu and Kashmir, alienating a section of voters the Congress could ill afford to lose. Rahul Gandhi’s controversial statements, along with the party’s perceived pro-Muslim and anti-Hindu stance, have seemingly polarized the electorate, particularly in Hindu-majority areas. The recent poll results in Jammu and Haryana demonstrate a significant shift in the political landscape, where the Congress’s traditional reliance on minority votes has dwindled. Even in Jammu and Kashmir, a region where the Congress once held influence through alliances with regional parties like the National Conference and the PDP, its performance was dismal, failing to make any substantial inroads in Hindu-dominated areas. The absence of a coherent strategy and strong leadership within the Congress is evident. The party’s current political advisors, especially the likes of K.C. Venugopal, seem to lack the political acumen that the late Ahmed Patel brought to the table. Patel’s strategic insight and behind-the-scenes maneuvering were instrumental in managing crises within the party. In contrast, Venugopal’s leadership appears inadequate in guiding the party through its turbulent times, leaving senior leaders like Jairam Ramesh struggling to defend the indefensible actions and statements of Rahul Gandhi. For the Congress to halt its decimation and chart a course toward revival, it must undergo a fundamental transformation. The party needs to introspect and make a decisive break from its outdated strategies and personalities that do not resonate with modern India. It should focus on cultivating younger leaders who have a deeper understanding of the country’s evolving aspirations and ground realities. Constructive decision-making and a shift toward a more pragmatic approach in addressing issues like economic development, national security, and social unity could help the Congress reconnect with the electorate. In conclusion, one wish to say that it’s the time for Congress to reconcile with its past mistakes is now. The party must adopt a forward-looking vision that is more attuned to the needs of a changing India, discarding its reliance on divisive politics and unachievable promises. Only then can it hope to rebuild its stature as a credible national alternative to the BJP.
