Party faces structural, leadership, and regional narrative challenges nationwide.
The continuing electoral decline of the Indian National Congress across northern and eastern India has once again come into focus after the party’s disappointing performance in recent Assembly elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam—states where the Congress once held considerable political influence.
Although the party showed signs of revival in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by winning 99 seats and reclaiming the position of Leader of Opposition in Parliament, it has struggled to sustain that momentum in crucial state elections. Poor performances in states such as West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, and others have raised serious questions about the party’s long-term strategy and ability to regain relevance in regions where it is either directly competing with the Bharatiya Janata Party or overshadowed by dominant regional forces.
Political pundits believe that the Congress’s difficulties go beyond routine electoral defeats and instead reflect a deeper organizational and ideological crisis that has intensified over the last decade, particularly since 2014. A major reason behind the party’s weakening position has been the gradual erosion of its traditional support base among Dalits, Muslims, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), communities that once formed the core of the Congress’s electoral strength in eastern India. Over time, regional parties have managed to consolidate these sections of voters by emphasizing regional identity, caste representation, and welfare-focused politics.
In West Bengal, a significant section of Muslim voters shifted toward the Trinamool Congress, which they increasingly viewed as the strongest political force capable of countering the BJP. Likewise, many Dalit and OBC voters have moved toward parties they perceive as better representatives of regional aspirations and local interests. As a result, Congress has steadily lost relevance in constituencies where it once maintained a strong political presence.
Another major challenge confronting the party is the perceived disconnect between the leadership and the grassroots organization. During the West Bengal Assembly election campaign, apart from a handful of visits by Rahul Gandhi, most senior Congress leaders remained largely absent from active campaigning. Critics argued that the lack of visible engagement reflected the party’s limited commitment to the state, while observers noted that the campaign failed to inspire enthusiasm among workers and voters.
A similar situation unfolded in Assam, where Congress relied on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to revive its electoral fortunes. Despite high-profile rallies and outreach efforts, the strategy failed to produce significant electoral gains, exposing deeper structural and organizational weaknesses within the party. Excessive centralization within the Congress leadership has weakened the party by limiting the autonomy of state units and preventing the emergence of strong regional leaders. Unlike the BJP and several regional parties, which have built strong cadre-based and booth-level organizations, Congress continues to struggle with factionalism, weak local leadership, and a lack of grassroots presence in many states. Congress has failed to craft a strong regional political narrative. While the party regularly criticizes the BJP on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and secularism, it has struggled to offer a distinct vision that connects with local voters and regional aspirations.
