NEW DELHI:Â Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has increased his activity in the party after returning from abroad. However, the challenges are not diminishing. After the crushing defeat in the Maharashtra civic elections, the existence of the INDIA alliance seems to be in danger. Maintaining opposition unity in the budget session will not be easy. Besides this, there is the separate challenge of elections in five states. There is also infighting within the party for the Rajya Sabha seats that will become vacant this year.
The internal tussle within the party has also left the leaders confused. Questions are being raised about the reduced activity of party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. Whether it is due to family reasons or something else, there are many discussions. Recently, questions were also raised about the order to celebrate her birthday in Uttar Pradesh on January 12. The order was issued when she was abroad. This is because it is the first time in the Gandhi family that orders have been issued to celebrate a leader’s birthday. The circular was issued by the state president Ajay Rai. The instructions were from the in-charge Avinash Pandey. There is also confusion as to whether Pandey actually gave the orders or whether state president Rai himself got it written. But the circular has become a topic of discussion in the party.
Priyanka was active during the winter session, but after that, she has been virtually absent. Priyanka was not seen at the Congress Working Committee meeting or the foundation day program. Not only this, Priyanka was also not present at the meeting held last Friday regarding Assam, even though she has been given the responsibility of the scrutiny committee. The issue of leadership change in Karnataka has also been linked to Priyanka in some way. However, Rahul Gandhi somehow managed the situation in Karnataka and tried to put a stop to the expectations of a change. This means that Siddaramaiah will complete his term. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will remain as he is for now. However, the party has made him an observer in Assam.
Elections are to be held in five states, including Assam, in April-May. These elections in five states will not be easy for the Congress. The party has lost two consecutive elections in Assam and Kerala. A comeback in both states will not be easy. In Kerala, the party has boosted morale among its workers by winning the local body elections, but experts say the contest will be very close. The Left alliance is putting all its strength into forming the government for the third time. It remains to be seen how the Congress high command manages the situation, as there is intense infighting there as well.
As far as Assam is concerned, defeating the BJP will not be easy. The Congress has limited leaders, and its organization is not strong. Moreover, making Priyanka Gandhi the head of the scrutiny committee has increased the conflict. It remains to be seen whether Priyanka Gandhi will take an interest in Assam given the current situation. It is possible that D.K. Shivakumar will take charge. As for Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi has started holding meetings with party leaders. He is also scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu. However, some leaders in Rahul’s team have angered the DMK with their statements. Congress leaders have angered the DMK by demanding more seats and a share in the government. Sources say the DMK is not in the mood to succumb to any kind of pressure. The DMK is Congress’s oldest alliance partner. In the current situation, the Congress is becoming increasingly isolated.
In West Bengal, the Congress is not even in the fight. In fact, the crushing defeat in Bihar had already created a sense of despair in the party, and the debacle in the Maharashtra local body and BMC elections has further increased the worries. The Congress and all its allies suffered a major defeat. The equations in Maharashtra politics will change in the coming days because the parties of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar have also fared poorly. There is talk that Ajit Pawar may separate from the NDA. But the concern is greater for the Congress. The Congress may take an important decision regarding the alliance in the coming days. After the defeat in Bihar, relations with the RJD have not been good.
The Aam Aadmi Party and TMC have already separated. There are also chances of the RJD and SP separating. The Left parties are also practically non-existent. The budget session will clarify what kind of politics the constituent parties of the INDIA alliance will pursue. The TMC will handle a separate front. Along with these challenges, Rahul Gandhi is also facing internal manoeuvring within the party regarding the vacant Rajya Sabha seats. Leaders like Pawan Khera, Kanhaiya Kumar, Jitendra Singh, Alka Lamba, Yogendra Yadav, Supriya Shrinate, Krishna Allavaru, Sachin Rao, Meenakshi Natarajan, Jitu Patwari, and Arun Yadav are among those hoping for a nomination. The term of national president Mallikarjun Kharge is also coming to an end. His seat in Karnataka is considered secure. Digvijay Singh has already declined a nomination. The Congress party will only get a limited number of seats. All eyes will be on what Rahul Gandhi decides to do.
