Congress faces internal strife, late campaigns, and AAP-BJP dominance, risking a complete wipeout in Delhi elections.
New Delhi: If Sonia Gandhi does not intervene promptly, the Congress may face defections in neighboring states like Haryana and Rajasthan, further weakening the party. From Rahul Gandhi’s sudden illness and the confusion surrounding the upcoming Delhi elections to disagreements over organizational changes, the Congress party seems to be engulfed in a turmoil. Adding to the chaos is the growing disappointment among leaders and workers over the regulations at the new headquarters.
Internal conflicts are also intensifying as leaders and workers are demoralized by repeated poll defeats, and the Delhi elections have turned into a steep challenge due to the entrenched dominance of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the region. Both AAP and BJP have implemented extensive welfare schemes, such as AAP’s free water and power programs and BJP’s financial support initiatives for various demographics, which have solidified their voter bases and made it difficult for Congress to establish a distinct presence.
Additionally, Congress’s campaign efforts, including the “Dilli Nyay Yatra” launched in November 2024, commenced relatively late, potentially hindering effective voter engagement.Even party insiders are not confident about winning a single seat in Delhi. If the Congress fails to open its account, the situation could worsen further.
The blame for this state of affairs lies squarely on the current leadership. Instead of learning lessons from the defeats in Haryana and Maharashtra, the party has left Delhi to chance. The failure to appoint a permanent president for the Delhi unit has only worsened matters.
Rather than strengthening the party, some leaders are more focused on currying favors with the Gandhi siblings. Sources say that several leaders are shifting their allegiance towards Priyanka Gandhi, believing that little progress can be made under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. This internal divide is a major concern for the Congress.
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi is also being held responsible for this situation. Though she tried to regain control before the Lok Sabha elections, she soon reverted to a passive role. Sonia’s inability to make timely and decisive decisions regarding her children has further exacerbated the party’s internal problems.
Sonia should intervene and make some decisions to bring the party back on track. Reports of Rahul’s reluctance to listen to others and his disinterest in state elections are worrying. It is said that he is more focused on the Lok Sabha elections and is unwilling to adjust his stance on issues like Hindutva or caste politics, even if they are contributing to the party’s downfall.
Rahul’s close aides, unwilling to risk their positions, refrain from offering constructive suggestions. This attitude is further sinking the party. At the recent Congress Working Committee meeting in Belgaum, discussions on organizational changes were overshadowed by disagreements.
Reportedly, Priyanka Gandhi expressed dissatisfaction when talks arose about her taking charge of Uttar Pradesh again. Meanwhile, Rahul is unwilling to replace K.C. Venugopal as the General Secretary of the organization. Venugopal’s possible shift to Kerala politics necessitates deliberation on his replacement. Rahul Gandhi’s potential assumption of this role could offer both opportunities and challenges, depending on the party’s strategic objectives and Gandhi’s vision for its future.
It is said that the party’s policies at the new headquarters have also demoralized workers and leaders as even senior leaders now require permission from Manish Chatrath’s office to access the headquarters, adding to the frustration.
Amidst these challenges, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks about leadership changes have added to the worries. If the Congress enforces a rotational Chief Minister formula in Karnataka, it could set a problematic precedent and create instability, giving the BJP an opportunity to exploit the situation.