LESSONS NOT LEARNT
India Today|October 21, 2024
THE GRAND OLD PARTY’S SELF-DEFEATING MOVES LEAD TO ANOTHER LOSS IN HARYANA. IF IT DOES NOT RIGHT ITS SHIP IN TIME, ITS PROSPECTS COULD SINK IN MAHARASHTRA AND JHARKHAND TOO
KAUSHIK DEKA
LESSONS NOT LEARNT

THE CONGRESS PARTY'S STUNNING DEFEAT in Haryana, a state it was widely expected to win, and its below-par performance in Jammu and Kashmir, signify more than just a temporary stumble. These setbacks have again exposed the deeper structural flaws that plague the party. In Haryana, the Congress secured 37 seats in the 90-member assembly, losing an election supporters and even opponents presumed would be a straightforward win. In J&K, the party won only six of the 32 seats it contested and will be part of the government only because of the strong showing by its ally, the National Conference.

These results puncture the narrative that the Congress is on a revival path after its much improved Lok Sabha election tally in May. They also underscore how sporadic victories, such as in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, combined with an over-reliance on singular leaders and a fragmented internal structure, have bred a certain hubris. The illusion of momentum has distracted Congress from its underlying issues. As an All India Congress Committee (AICC) official wryly stated: “Success often breeds complacency in the Congress, causing it to lose sight of the shifting political landscape.”

RIDING ON ALLIANCES

Maharashtra and Jharkhand are headed for polls next month, so the party has no time to lose. After winning 13 of the 17 LS seats it contested in Maharashtra, the party had of late transitioned from being the “third ally” in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition to a more assertive role. It was even angling to contest the largest share of seats in the election, but the Haryana debacle will affect its position now. It’s already happening. A day after the results, an editorial in Saamna, the mouthpiece of MVA ally Shiv Sena (UBT), was scathing in its comments, calling out the Congress for its inability to control its “disobedient leaders” and turning “a winning innings into a defeat”.

This story is from the October 21, 2024 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 21, 2024 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM INDIA TODAYView All
WIZARD OF WORDS
India Today

WIZARD OF WORDS

Padma Shri-awardee Prasoon Joshi on his foray into theatre with his first musical Rajadhiraaj: Love, Life, Leela, and more

time-read
1 min  |
February 03, 2025
THE E-COM UPRISING
India Today

THE E-COM UPRISING

From apparel to electronics, e-commerce platforms have opened a whole new world for the Indian customer from the comfort of her home

time-read
2 mins  |
February 03, 2025
GETTING THE BEST PRICE
India Today

GETTING THE BEST PRICE

A national online marketplace, eNAM is a boon for farmers burdened by low prices for their produce

time-read
3 mins  |
February 03, 2025
ON THE FAST TRACK
India Today

ON THE FAST TRACK

Travel turns seamless as FASTag, a small sticker on your car, opens up toll gateways

time-read
2 mins  |
February 03, 2025
EVERY DROP COUNTS
India Today

EVERY DROP COUNTS

With India becoming a water-stressed nation, the drip irrigation drive has brought rich dividends to farmers, enhancing yields and earnings

time-read
3 mins  |
February 03, 2025
A QUICK PASSAGE
India Today

A QUICK PASSAGE

The digitised sytem for applications at Passport Seva Kendras has made the process of issuing everyone's essential travel document quick and efficient

time-read
3 mins  |
February 03, 2025
A ROOF FOR ALL
India Today

A ROOF FOR ALL

The Centre’s programme of housing for the poor has brought security and dignity to millions in the villages

time-read
2 mins  |
February 03, 2025
THE EASY RIDE
India Today

THE EASY RIDE

A paperless, largely online system of issuing driving licences has made touts and endless queues history in West Bengal and brought in much-needed convenience and transparency

time-read
3 mins  |
February 03, 2025
SPEED MEETS COMFORT
India Today

SPEED MEETS COMFORT

With the indigenously made Vande Bharat Express, India has revolutionised train travel—it’s faster, convenient and more efficient than ever

time-read
2 mins  |
February 03, 2025
THE MOBILE ADVANTAGE
India Today

THE MOBILE ADVANTAGE

Cheap handsets, internet penetration and affordable data have placed a mobile phone in almost every hand in the country

time-read
2 mins  |
February 03, 2025