- Undoubtedly, the naysayers and the quintessential doubters would have sneered at the Grand Old Party’s anointed scion undertaking the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Trust me, there may have been several party satraps who would have advised and/or dissuaded the Gandhi scion from going ahead with the Yatra when the very survival of the party was being debated with animated energy. Persistent reversals in electoral fortunes combined with an exodus of leaders of all hues and cries to opposition ranks may have prompted traditionalists within the party to question such a move. Remember, how the group of 23 senior Congress leaders was demanding organizational reforms including the election of a president? Things were not going according to the script for sure.
PC: K Shiva Kumar
- The organizational polls were indeed announced after a long duration of time. And to its credit, the Gandhi family duly prompted by Rahul Gandhi himself who was candid enough to rule out any from the family contesting the elections, paved the way for the election of a non-Gandhi as president. We all know Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge won hands down defeating the other contestant Shashi Tharoor by a huge margin. Mind you, when Congress was going ahead with the president’s election, the Bharat Jodo Yatra too commenced amidst huge fanfare from Kerala. Incidentally, Rahul Gandhi represents Wayanad, Kerala as an MP. No wonder, he chose Kerala as the starting point for his long Yatra traversing around the country.
- As you are aware, Congress is struggling to emerge a winner in several crucial states on its own. And some of the states like Karnataka and Maharashtra have slipped away courtesy of the BJP’s Operation Lotus succeeding in weening away disgruntled MLAs into its fold. But of all the places, Karnataka appears to be slightly favourable for the GOP to make inroads as the ruling BJP has hardly made any progress in terms of developments/progression or able administration. The stink of corruption emanating from the state has reached far and wide. The ruling dispensation is bound to feel the heat not only in terms of the anti-incumbency but also in unimaginative and insipid leadership at the top. The BJP leadership should be really worried about this aspect.
PC: The Quint
- Looking at the response to Yatra in Karnataka for 22 days, it can be safely said that Congress has definitely made positive gains. Most importantly, two warring leaders the state president DK Shivakumar and ex-CM and legislative party leader Siddaramaiah have presented welcome optics whilst presenting a united front. The party cadre appears rejuvenated what with tall leaders burying differences and individual ambitions to concentrate on bigger issues of returning to power. This augurs well for Congress as the assembly elections are a few months away. If Congress sustains the momentum by aggressively countering the ruling party, there is no reason why it can upset the BJP’s applecart yet again. Interesting times ahead indeed.
