The Congress party, marked by internal power struggles and a lack of cadre-based strength, faced a significant defeat in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
The party’s central leadership, consisting of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, along with additional power centers like AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and organization general secretary KC Venugopal, was outperformed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resulting in a one-sided victory for the BJP.
The Congress’ defeat, with implications for the upcoming general elections, highlights the party’s tendency to be arrogant and disconnected from ground realities.
The weakening of the Congress organization and cadre strength, once robust during the leadership of figures like Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi, has been a persistent issue. Rahul Gandhi’s experiments and decisions, influenced by advisors like Priyanka Gandhi, have contributed to the party’s deterioration, particularly evident in states like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
The internal turmoil in Rajasthan Congress, fueled by Sonia Gandhi’s controversial decision in September 2022, further damaged the party’s prospects. The aftermath of the defeat is expected to lead to an exodus from the Congress, with internal conflicts and leadership isolation contributing to the challenges.
The BJP capitalized on Congress’ internal strife, working diligently to exploit the lack of a strong cadre base. Despite welfare schemes in Rajasthan, the Congress failed to effectively communicate its message to voters, overshadowed by the BJP’s successful campaign.
The overconfidence of leaders like Ashok Gehlot, Kamal Nath, and Bhupesh Baghel, coupled with Rahul Gandhi’s optimistic yet damaging statements, further contributed to the Congress’ electoral setbacks.
As the party faces challenges ahead of the 2024 parliamentary polls, there is a need for introspection and a focus on building a robust cadre network to counter the BJP’s polarisation politics.
