- People closely following the political fortunes in India must be feeling immensely intrigued by the results of the recently concluded state assembly elections to five states. As you are aware, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram went into the elections. Recollect how the entire opposition blocks had made us believe that the outcome of these state election results would indicate which way the political wind is blowing before the mother of all elections, the Lok Sabha polls scheduled in April/May 2024. The I.N.D.I. alliance – a conglomeration of diverse parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party – had touted these elections as a semifinal bout before the biggest one.
PC: TOI
- The Grand Old Party led a spirited election campaign and was confident of crossing the victory lane in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. All the prepoll surveys, exit polls, and internal surveys provided positive feedback from the Hindi heartland states indicating Congress stood a great chance of winning over the electorate. Mind you, victories in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka came at a most opportune time for Congress struggling to tame the formidable election machinery of the BJP. Of course, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra not only garnered huge patronage from the common citizens but also succeeded in grabbing media attention, warming the cockles of the leadership hoping to derive electoral mileage from the march.
- However, what transpired in the three Hindi heartland states must come as no less than a shockingly distressing outcome for the Congress. Rajasthan kept its date with the revolving door methodology by shunting out the incumbent government paving the way for the BJP to return with a thumping victory. The result of Madhya Pradesh must be rankling the Congress leadership as the BJP government not only quelled the anti-incumbency with spirited campaigning but also succeeded in smartly highlighting the various socio-economic schemes introduced by the Centre and state governments as well. The overwhelming result in favor of the saffron brigade must be treated as a huge setback for the Congress which was confident of crossing the final hurdle.
PC: News On Air
- Now, none expected the Chhattisgarh result to go the BJP’s way. Remember, Congress was extremely confident of not only retaining the state but also hoping to return to power with even more seats than the previous one. Alas, the electorate decided to dump the Congress by showering blessings on the BJP overturning every poll prediction on its head. Rahul Gandhi was at the forefront during the campaigning, and the losses suffered must be attributed to his leadership. If Telangana’s success can be attributed to Rahul Gandhi, it’s fair to expect to own up for the losses as well. Will the Congress change tack by not fronting the scion in the Lok Sabha elections? Unlikely, since the Congress cannot get disassociated without the Gandhi family, you see. Therein lies the Congress’s enigma failing to look beyond the Gandhi family. The BJP will not mind, though.
