Our Political Desk
The recent political developments in India, marked by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) emphatic victory in Haryana and improved performance in Jammu and Kashmir, have triggered a fresh wave of political churning in the Indian landscape.
This success for the BJP comes on the heels of their strong showing in the Lok Sabha elections, signalling potential shifts in the nation’s political dynamics. The grand old Congress party, once dominant and seemingly unchallenged in Indian politics, now finds itself struggling to retain its relevance. The decline of the Nehru-Gandhi family’s influence is a central factor in this struggle, leaving Congress in a vulnerable position where it often relies on regional allies for survival.
The Congress party’s decline can be traced back to its own internal challenges and missteps. Although the party showed some resilience under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership after her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated in 1991, her tenure ultimately became defined by the influence of a close-knit coterie. Sonia managed to stabilize the party, bringing it back to power at the national level making PV Narasimha Rao as the Prime Minister, who successfully ran a minority government for a full five-year term. Despite these achievements, the failure to address internal weaknesses, largely due to her reliance on a narrow circle of advisors, eroded her effectiveness.
The transition of leadership to Rahul Gandhi marked a crucial turning point for the Congress. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership has often been criticized for a lack of charisma, poor communication skills, and an apparent reluctance to take on the mantle of leadership seriously. His inability to connect with both party workers and the general electorate contributed to the party’s decimation in several states. Critics argue that Sonia Gandhi’s decision to overlook her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is seen as having the political acumen and charisma akin to her grandmother Indira Gandhi, in favour of her son Rahul, was a significant misstep that cost the party dearly.
Sonia Gandhi’s decision-making also played a pivotal role in the party’s diminishing stature. Her refusal to stake her claim for the prime ministership in 2004 due to her foreign origin was initially praised as a noble gesture but later seen as a missed opportunity. She further compounded this by relying heavily on leaders like P. Chidambaram, who have been tainted by allegations of corruption, while sidelining senior party members who could have provided more robust leadership. This strategy of relying on an inner circle led to a lack of accountability within the party and contributed to the erosion of trust among the party’s traditional voter base.
Despite occasional electoral victories in states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, the Congress party has been unable to maintain its momentum. Their wins were often overshadowed by subsequent losses in other crucial states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. These setbacks were largely attributed to unfulfilled promises and economic mismanagement at the state level. In Karnataka, for instance, despite securing a significant victory in the state assembly elections, the party’s reputation has been marred by corruption allegations against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The Congress’s insistence on playing the “big brother” role among opposition parties has also hindered its ability to form a cohesive anti-BJP front. Leaders like Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who initially aligned with Congress to challenge the BJP, have found the party’s approach to be more divisive than unifying. The Congress’s reluctance to cede leadership positions within the opposition alliance has alienated potential allies, creating rifts that the BJP has skilfully exploited.
The formation of the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) under the leadership of Congress was intended to present a united front against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, this coalition of 26 parties, including heavyweights like the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has not been as effective as anticipated. The internal differences among these parties and the Congress’s inability to assume a dominant yet inclusive leadership role have raised questions about the alliance’s viability in the long run.
The appointment of Mallikarjun Kharge as the party president was seen as a symbolic gesture to project inclusivity, but in reality, he has been given little influence within the party’s strategic decisions. Media narratives continue to project Rahul Gandhi as the face of Congress, sidelining Kharge, which further undermines the party’s claim of having evolved beyond the dynastic politics of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
In stark contrast, the BJP’s organizational strength, disciplined cadre, and effective leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi have positioned it as the most credible political force in the country. The party’s resounding performance in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir has bolstered its confidence as it prepares for upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. The BJP’s focus on development and its ability to communicate its achievements to the electorate have struck a chord with voters, leaving the Congress scrambling for a strategy to counter its influence.
The regional parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Trinamool Congress (TMC), are showing increasing reluctance to accept the Congress as the dominant partner within the INDIA bloc. This fragmentation among the opposition ranks could spell further trouble for Congress, as these regional players might consider aligning with the BJP or other alternatives if they perceive Congress as a liability.
As India approaches another election cycle, the political landscape is undergoing significant transformations. The BJP’s growing acceptance across regions, coupled with the Congress party’s struggles to reinvent itself, suggests a possible new alignment in national politics. Regional satraps, who previously viewed Congress as the natural leader of the opposition, may realign their loyalties if they believe that BJP’s dominance at the Centre is inevitable and helpful for their own state’s prosperity.
The possibility of a new political churning is on the horizon, driven by the BJP’s relentless rise and Congress’s faltering presence. While the Congress party’s legacy remains an integral part of India’s political fabric, its future depends on its ability to adapt, evolve, and reclaim its lost ground. Without a cohesive strategy and dynamic leadership, the party risks being relegated to a minor player in a political arena increasingly defined by the BJP’s vision for India’s future. (Image sources ToI)
