The recent actions of the Congress party, marked by nationwide protests demanding the resignation of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairman Madhabi Puri Buch, following allegations from Hindenburg Research, expose a deeper duplicity and palpable frustration within the party. These protests, driven by claims that the SEBI chief has a conflict of interest due to her and her husband’s investments in the Adani Group, highlight the Congress’s willingness to latch onto any controversy that could potentially discredit their political adversaries. Added to this On Friday, N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Ltd., expressed his frustration by calling for the dismissal of Ms. Buch. Ram, who has been criticized for his selective memory and known support for the CPM, also has alleged ties with the controversial Chinese Communist Party of India. His newspaper has faced accusations of running advertisements for the Chinese Communist Party of India and of biased reporting on the Rafale fighter jets deal with France—a matter that was ultimately dismissed by the apex court as a baseless petition. However, this eagerness of the Congress to embrace foreign allegations contrasts sharply with their refusal to address other reports involving their own leadership, particularly those surrounding Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi, often referred to mockingly as the “50-year-old adolescent,” has been the subject of foreign media reports suggesting he is married with two children, despite his public persona as a bachelor. The Congress party’s silence on these reports, despite their voracious appetite for foreign media when it suits them, raises questions about their credibility and selective outrage. The BJP MP from Medak in the state of Telangana, Raghunandan Rao, was right in pointing out the Congress’s hypocrisy, questioning why the party and Rahul Gandhi himself have not denied or confirmed these reports, especially since the Supreme Court has ruled that living-in relationships are not a crime in India, any more.
The SEBI chief, under fire from the Congress, has maintained her innocence, admitting to holding shares in the Adani Group before her tenure as SEBI chairman and asserting that she has conducted her duties without any bias. The Supreme Court, after reviewing SEBI’s investigation into the Adani Group following Hindenburg’s initial allegations, found no wrongdoing by Adani, despite the damage caused to the businessman’s stock value. Hindenburg, a notorious short-seller under scrutiny in several countries, including the United States where it is based, has been accused of using blackmailing tactics to manipulate markets—a fact conveniently overlooked by the Congress in their bid to target the Modi government. The Congress’s frustration is understandable; after more than a decade out of power, the party is struggling to stay relevant, even as it managed to double its seats in the Lok Sabha from 54 to 99 in the recent 2024 elections. However, this minor success has done little to reinvigorate a party that is increasingly seen as out of touch with the Indian electorate. The party’s reliance on a coalition of 48 parties under the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) further underscores its weakness, especially since major partners like TMC and SP are often at odds with the Congress, sharing little more than a common enemy in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This coalition, filled with leaders facing charges of money laundering and other criminal acts, dreams of unseating Modi, a leader who has not only grown in stature domestically but has also emerged as a global figure. The Opposition’s only hope seems to hinge on Modi’s voluntary retirement when he turns 75 next September, an age limit he set for himself. Yet, the nation is now engaged in a debate about whether Modi should step down when he still has unfinished goals, including making India a $5 trillion economy by 2028 and fulfilling the aspirations of 140 crore Indians.
The Congress and its allies are also dreaming of bouncing back to power in upcoming state elections, but these hopes are likely misplaced. The protests they staged against the Adani Group last week fizzled out with no significant impact, especially in Congress-ruled states like Telangana, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand, where the Adani Group has been welcomed for investments. The subdued protests in these states, carried out more for photo opportunities than genuine concern, reflect the lack of public support for the Congress’s manufactured outrage. As the Modi government prepares to push through significant reforms like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and One Nation One Poll (ONOP), the Congress finds itself increasingly marginalized. Modi’s potential leadership in the 2027 elections, should they be held early, may further weaken the Opposition to the point of no return. Much depends on the immediate electoral battles, including the 10 by-elections in Uttar Pradesh and the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. In Jammu and Kashmir, despite reports of a pre-poll alliance between the National Conference and Congress, the BJP has a chance to improve its position from the 25 seats it won previously, which could change the political dynamics in the state. The Congress’s alliance with the National Conference, a party often accused of holding pro-Pakistan views, could backfire, especially after the Supreme Court’s clear stance that Articles 370 and 35A were temporary provisions that could be revoked by the President of India. In nutshell, the Congress’s latest actions reveal a party grasping at straws, unwilling to face its own contradictions and increasingly out of touch with the aspirations of the Indian people. As India moves forward, aiming to become an economic powerhouse and a key player on the global stage, the Congress’s outdated strategies and selective outrage are likely to leave it further behind in the nation’s political landscape.
