Skip to main content

Is it time to call for the Obituary of the Indian National Congress?



Is it time to call for the Obituary of the Indian National Congress?




The Indian National Congress is one of the oldest political parties in India. Although around for decades, it seems that it is bracing towards collapse as we leap on to the next decade beyond 2020.



The results of Bypolls and Assembly elections for everyone to see and understand. Faced with ruthless competition from the ruling Party, the Congress is doddering. Even in States, it has won, like Goa and Karnataka, it lost its MLAs and elected representatives who dumped the Party for greener pastures with the other Party. True, allegations of horse-trading were floated around. But as in Madhya Pradesh, there is clear evidence of Indians favoring turncoats. The BJP hardly won the mandate in Goa, Karnataka, or Madhya Pradesh, but turncoats swung the numbers. 




Questions should be raised about how majorities are being stitched. Similarly, it's interesting to probe that the Congress, one of India's principal political parties, has no sway with its members. The leadership is non-existent. Even alliance decisions, such as which Party to align with, is being taken by a handful of state leaders. For example, in Maharashtra, the local leaders decided to board the Shiv Sena bus to power. Except in smaller States like Punjab, the Party can hardly stand on its own without an alliance with a regional party. Such are the affairs of a hundred-year-old Party who once ruled India with an iron grip.




Indeed if we do a cursory look at the top leadership, the people running the Party, there is hardly a name you could classify as an election warhorse or a mass leader. Most of the leaders have lost plenty of elections, are not ranked high for their oratory skills, or are known for their administrative acumen. As the heir apparent himself, Mr. Gandhi has no administrative experience and has lost the recent election from Amethi's safe family seat. The Party's continuous downfall and the diminishing vote shares in almost every other polls should worry. 




It's true that the Indian media and even social media are heavily biased. We all read the WSJ report on how Facebook's senior employees advocated for Congress's main competitors. These kinds of situations ensure media blackout of many events and press conferences of the Congress party. The media ridicule it bears further drowns its voice. But that shouldn't mean that the Party stops trying. It has almost given up. The region where it is doing good is because of local leaders trying to protect their turf. Like in Haryana, they take their own decisions, do whatever they please, and the Party reaps the benefit of their local leaders' fight for their political survival. They are not necessarily thinking about the party ideology but their survival, and in few cases of the dynasty, they wish to erect. 



Which brings me back to the big question about the relevance of the Grand Old Party of India. Is it now defunct, giving way to so many offshoots ( the regional parties running the show in their regions) and with a large number of its members ditching it in times that are probably the worst for the Party since its inception?



Let me know your comments in the section below. Thank you for reading.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Also read

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...
1 comment
Read more

Who the F Are You? by Harinder Singh Pelia — A sharp, kind kick to become unignorable | Book review

In this impatiently kind review I walk you through Harinder Singh Pelia's Who the F Are You?  a short practical guide to finding your unfair advantage and making it impossible to ignore. The book pairs a Minimum Viable Self framework with bite sized exercises and honest case studies. If you want clarity without theatre, this book gives you a plan. Have you ever felt invisible despite working hard? What is the book about in a few lines? The book's central promise is simple: find your unfair advantage, sharpen it and make it impossible to ignore. Pelia lays out a five step process built around the Minimum Viable Self framework. Rather than offering lofty pep talk, the book gives short exercises, prototypes and feedback loops so readers can test how they show up. It is candid, occasionally blunt, and emphatically practical. Harinder Singh Pelia’s Who the F Are You?  was published in 2025 by Penguin, the hardback spans 206 pages and wears its intent on its sleeve. The co...
Post a Comment
Read more

Top 10 sugar companies in India:A comprehensive look at the sweet powerhouses

India’s sugar industry is a blend of age-old traditions and cutting-edge technologies. From legacy giants to emerging powerhouses, this article takes you through the top ten sugar companies, their stories, stock market performances, financial health, and key opportunities ahead. Whether you are an investor or sugar industry enthusiast, this profile is for you! Once upon a time in the land of sugar: The story of India’s sweetest giants Let me take you on a journey through the sugarcane fields of India, where the air smells faintly of molasses, and the hum of factories blends with the rustle of green leaves. This isn’t just a story about sugar; it’s about the people, the businesses, and the sweet (and sometimes bitter) realities of an industry that fuels the nation’s economy. Why should you care about India’s sugar companies? Picture this: you’re sipping your morning chai, and the sugar dissolving in it comes from one of these giants. But have you ever wondered who’s behind that sweetnes...
Post a Comment
Read more