- The above statement will surely resonate with the majority of the countrymen interested in the political developments of India. The way the Grand Old Party finds itself presently amidst the political landscape not only calls for honest introspection as to where the party is heading but also demands decisive actions urgently to ensure it stays afloat/relevant. The number of regional parties getting stronger across the country largely at the expense of Congress is not lost on the comprehending lot. Not so long ago, the Congress party used to be viewed as the flagbearer of the opposition taking along disparate groups with a common purpose of stopping the Bharatiya Janata Party juggernaut. Of late, things have changed dramatically on this front too.
PC: Supriya Bhardwaj
- No longer the Grand Old Party is considered the only opposition entity endowed with the wherewithal to take on the might of the BJP. Many regional contenders have not only confidence about stalling the relentless progress of the BJP but also consider themselves primed to best the saffron brigade at the hustings. Yes, the Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti are just a few of the political parties who are strongly positioned to pose a challenge to the BJP. We know how the previously concluded state assembly elections proved that TMC and AAP can perfectly stymie the BJP’s march. The moot point to ponder over here is whether these regional parties can go ahead without Congress.
- Not a chance as there is not one regional party with a similarly endowed organizational infrastructure available across the country. Not for nothing Congress is recognized as a truly national party. Worryingly, the GOP is grappling with leadership uncertainty hampering the opposition’s efforts to project a unified front since the last general elections. We know the process for electing a new Congress president got underway recently and if everything proceeds as per schedule, the party will anoint Sonia Gandhi’s successor by September 20. Ever since taking over as Congress president in 1998 politics in the country have transformed, over and over. Earlier her leadership kept pace with the transformations but she has not been able to successfully restyle it for a BJP-dominated political landscape anymore.
PC: Ravi Shankar
- This is underlined by Congress’s repeated failure to win a single state election in Sonia’s second presidential stint since 2019. Three disheartening years later the party clamour for Rahul to return is muted by his reiterations of disinterest. At the same time, Team Rahul continues to play key roles across state party units and the AICC secretariat. Continuing this ambiguity for another five years stint will be counterproductive for Congress. The time is indeed ripe for a non-Gandhi to step in and take over the reins of presidentship by contesting the presidency. There are enough leaders with unquestionable credentials readily available to helm the affairs of the party. Remember, extraordinary situations demand extraordinary measures. Thus, it’s in the best interest of Congress to initiate such measures forthwith.
