Since its good show in the 2024 general elections, the Congress has failed to achieve any notable electoral success.
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Disunity among the leaders is hurting the Congress party more than its political rivals. In recent times, the party has lost at least three state elections, namely Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Rajasthan, due to intense infighting among its leaders. While the tussle between Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singh Deo allowed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to regain Chhattisgarh, infighting between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot should be blamed for the BJP’s revival in Rajasthan. Similarly, the BJP managed to retain power in Haryana despite a strong anti-incumbency mood, as squabbling between Bhupendra Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja had touched its peak during the electioneering. There are many other instances to prove that the Congress has scripted its own downfall, as its leaders are more interested in narrow personal gains rather than strengthening the party.
If some had expected the century-old party to learn lessons from its past mistakes and make amends during the first half of the 2026 election season, the Congress has disappointed this time too. Barely has the party managed to pacify diplomat-turned-politician Shashi Tharoor in Kerala, when senior Congress leader from Assam Bhupen Borah left the party, citing apathy shown towards him by the present state leadership. Although the party’s top leadership tried to bury the differences, with Rahul Gandhi personally speaking to the rebel leader, it proved too little and too late, as Borah is slated to formally join the BJP sooner rather than later, providing a much-needed boost to the saffron brigade’s electoral prospects. After the Bhupen Borah episode, it is being said that a couple of more Congress leaders may join the BJP at an opportune moment, further weakening the possibility of a strong Congress showing in Assam.
Among the four states going to the polls this summer, the Congress may expect a good showing in Kerala, where, more than anything else, an anti-incumbency wave may help the party, which has been out of power in the state for a decade now. But even there, the party is handicapped when it comes to projecting a face against the incumbent, Pinarayi Vijayan, as that would expose infighting within the party. After AK Antony, the Congress in Kerala appears devoid of a leader who is an automatic choice for such top posts. In Tamil Nadu, the Congress may get a taste of power if it sticks to its age-old association with the ruling DMK. As the party has decided against aligning with any party in West Bengal, it seems difficult for the Congress even to open its account in the state Assembly. Apart from Kerala, the party was expected to do well in Assam, but the recent rebellion has almost nipped that possibility in the bud.
Since its good show in the 2024 general elections, the Congress has failed to achieve any notable electoral success. Thus, a good performance in states like Kerala, Assam and Tamil Nadu is extremely necessary for the party to stay relevant in Indian politics. But it appears that the party prefers oblivion to rejuvenation.