- People closely following the political churnings around the Indian context would have noticed how the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has grown from strength to strength over the last eight years. Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has driven the BJP single-handedly with such vigour, enthusiasm, and focus that he has become the only mascot whose credentials surpass everything else. The popularity enjoyed by Modi is tremendous and the traction he enjoys during elections is all there to see. His unparalleled connection with the electorate is magnetic and the people tend to trust him more than any other contemporary politician of worth.
PC: Azeem Ibrahim
- Where does it leave the Grand Old Party in the larger scheme of things? Let’s delve into it. We know how Congress stands decimated in several states over the last few years. Except for Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, none of the major states has opened up for Congress to form the government. Several notable states have slipped away from its grasp in the interim. The top leadership is not only found to be indecisive but also lethargic in arresting this disturbing trend. Even though a non-Gandhi has assumed the presidency after a long time, it is clear the Family holds the lever to pull in directions as it wishes.
- The latest drubbing in the Gujarat assembly polls is an embarrassment and a severe blow where Congress failed miserably to put up a decent enough fight. No wonder, it was swept away by the BJP tide. However, the party returning to power in tiny Himachal Pradesh should offer a glimmer of hope to the beleaguered entity not to give up hope just like that in future endeavours. Picking up from Himachal should be the priority for the party satraps as even more challenging times are ahead. Mind you, Himachal has been the only bright spot for Congress in a long time. Of course, Congress’s pick of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as the next CM nips in the bud factional fights that could have broken out in the state.
PC: PTI
- With three contenders vying for the top job, things could have easily fallen apart. The deft handling of the situation has averted a possible crisis. However, factionalism continues to be a big problem for Congress across states. It was the single biggest factor in the party’s Punbaj disaster earlier this year where the tug of war between Navjot Singh Sidhu and ex-CM Charanjit Singh Channi wrecked its campaign. Similarly, the party also faces factionalism in big-ticket elections next year too. In Karnataka, where Congress is well-positioned to mount a serious challenge to BJP, the party needs the two factions led by Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to pull together.
- It remains to be seen if the party president and Karnataka leader Mallikarjun Kharge can facilitate this. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan too are bogged down by factionalism. Unlike BJP and PM Modi, the lack of a charismatic, vote-pulling central leadership in Congress ensures indiscipline in warring factions. Nonetheless, Himachal has shown keeping factionalism in check will be key to the party’s prospects in direct electoral contests with BJP. Did someone say this rather than the Bharat Jodo Yatra needs greater attention? Absolutely. The country needs strong opposition and Congress alone can fill those shoes.
