Ever since its crushing defeat in 2014, the Congress party has been caught in a spiral of confusion and missteps, seemingly unable to learn from its past mistakes. From bizarre statements by senior leaders to embarrassing public gaffes, the party appears to be struggling with both leadership and coherence.
One of the most glaring instances of this confusion came when Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in a speech, mistakenly stated that Rahul Gandhi had sacrificed his life for the country’s unity—mixing up Rahul with his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated by a suicide bomber in 1991. The embarrassing blunder, made in the presence of Rahul himself, left the party red-faced as the video of the speech quickly went viral. Rahul’s awkward glances at Kharge only underscored the sheer absurdity of the moment.
While no one would accuse the veteran leader of being under the influence, his desperate attempt to showcase loyalty to the Gandhi family turned into a spectacle. The incident not only highlighted Kharge’s own struggles but also reflected the larger problem within Congress—an uncritical obsession with the dynasty, often at the cost of substance.
If Kharge’s speech was an embarrassment, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s historical blunder was even more revealing of Congress’s lack of ideological clarity. In an attempt to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reddy reportedly compared him to the medieval invader Mohammad Ghazni, accusing him of repeatedly attacking the Indian Constitution. However, he conveniently ignored the fact that it was Congress itself that had amended the Constitution nearly 80 times—starting from Jawaharlal Nehru and continuing through Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and P.V. Narasimha Rao.
Reddy’s speech, too, quickly went viral, exposing his ignorance and reinforcing the perception that Congress leaders often resort to ill-informed rhetoric without understanding the facts. For a party that claims to protect democracy and constitutional values, such contradictions only weaken its credibility.
Adding to Congress’s woes is Sam Pitroda, the party’s overseas coordinator in the U.S. A longtime confidant of the Gandhi family, Pitroda has a history of making controversial statements that often damage the party’s image. His recent remark—questioning why it was a “big deal” if illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar (Rohingyas) settled in India—sparked outrage, drawing criticism from political analysts and BJP leaders alike.
This was not an isolated incident. Pitroda has previously courted controversy with remarks like “hua toh hua” (what’s done is done) when asked about the 1984 Sikh massacre and his divisive comparisons of North Indians to Chinese and South Indians to Africans. His repeated blunders raise serious concerns about the Congress leadership’s inability to control its own narrative.
Since losing power at the Centre, Congress has appeared increasingly rudderless. Pitroda, an Odisha-born technocrat who made his career in the U.S., once played a crucial role in Rajiv Gandhi’s telecom revolution. However, his influence seems to be waning, and his recent attempts to rally support for Rahul Gandhi have only fueled further skepticism about the party’s direction. Despite efforts to paint the Modi government in a negative light—sometimes even aligning with anti-India elements like George Soros and Khalistani sympathizers—the Congress has failed to present a compelling alternative.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi continues to provide ammunition to his critics with statements that defy logic, such as his claim that India is “not a nation, but a union of states.” Such remarks only reinforce the perception that Congress lacks both leadership and vision.
As Congress struggles to remain relevant, its leaders’ blunders, historical misrepresentations, and self-inflicted embarrassments only add to its woes. Instead of introspecting and rebuilding itself as a credible opposition, the party remains trapped in confusion, weighed down by outdated dynastic politics and a leadership unable to connect with the people.
If the Congress truly hopes to make a comeback, it must go beyond empty rhetoric and misplaced loyalty. Otherwise, it risks becoming a relic of the past—out of touch, out of ideas, and out of time.
