The Congress party recently unveiled its strategy for the Bharat Nyay Yatra, which Rahul Gandhi will officially launch on January 14, in a move that echoes both determination and confusion. This announcement follows closely on the heels of a pivotal Opposition meeting in New Delhi, where Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal recommended the name of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as the face of the Opposition alliance, intriguingly named INDIA.
The apparent discord among Opposition leaders about the ideal face for the alliance exposes a rift, with Banerjee and Kejriwal’s preference for Kharge contradicting the unspoken desires of other Opposition parties. Rahul Gandhi, despite not being the preferred choice, springs forth with the Bharat Nyay Yatra, underscoring Congress’ commitment to projecting him as the face of the party. This move amplifies the confusion surrounding the party’s strategies, leaving observers questioning the coherence of the INDI alliance.
As the Congress forges ahead with this yatra, crucial questions loom large. With the 2024 general elections on the horizon, the party must address whether this yatra is the magical solution to secure victory. The timing of such a massive exercise prompts contemplation on whether the party should redirect its focus towards strengthening local units and motivating state leadership individually. The yatra’s effectiveness also comes under scrutiny as Opposition parties engage in discussions on seat-sharing formulas.
Crossing states run by Opposition parties, like West Bengal, raises concerns about the Congress narrative in these areas. In the face of these uncertainties, the Congress must navigate a delicate balance between projecting Rahul Gandhi as the party’s face and addressing the pragmatic concerns of alliance dynamics and state-level strategies. The Bharat Nyay Yatra could either be a strategic masterstroke or a confusing gamble, and only time will unveil the true narrative that will shape the political landscape in the upcoming elections.
Question of Electoral Success
In the grand tapestry of Indian politics, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Nyay Yatra unfolds as a strategic spectacle, covering 6,200 km through 14 states and 85 districts. A deliberate expansion compared to his previous Bharat Jodo Yatra, the nuances of this political pilgrimage are not lost on keen observers. As the Congress pins its hopes on electoral gains from the yatra, a retrospective glance at the election results in regions touched by the earlier Bharat Jodo Yatra paints a complex picture.
While Karnataka and Telangana yielded favourable outcomes, the impact appeared negligible in the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Notably, Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra strategically avoided poll-bound states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, perceiving vulnerability, yet ventured into Himachal Pradesh post-election victory. The meticulous choices, or perhaps omissions, underscore the intricate dance of political strategy. In Karnataka, where the yatra spanned the districts of Mysuru, Ballari, and Raichur, the Congress witnessed a significant upswing. Winning 15 of the 20 seats covered, compared to the previous five in 2018, marked a notable resurgence. The party’s increased vote share of 9.7 per cent signalled a triumph, securing 135 out of 228 assembly seats.
Telangana witnessed a political shift as the Congress dismantled the ruling BRS government, securing 64 out of 117 seats. The yatra’s impact was felt in the 29 assembly segments covered, with the Congress gaining 12 seats. Conversely, the yatra’s echoes faded in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Madhya Pradesh, the Congress lost ground, securing only 66 out of 230 seats, as the BJP held sway with 166 victories. Rajasthan, too, slipped from the Congress’ grasp, with the BJP claiming 115 out of 199 seats.
As Rahul Gandhi embarks on the Bharat Nyay Yatra, the intricate interplay between political strategy and electoral realities continues to shape the narrative. The yatra becomes not just a physical journey but a metaphorical exploration of the Congress’ path in the complex terrain of Indian politics.
Congress’ Strategic Dilemma Amidst Larger Narratives
The Congress party’s fixation on the Modi versus Rahul narrative persists, as evident in the announcement of the yatra coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the Ram Mandir. This move signifies the party’s commitment to framing the political discourse around Rahul versus PM Modi, anchored in the broader clash of Hindutva ideology versus the party’s perceived secular stance.
However, a critical reflection is imperative, especially in light of the recent assembly election results. The focus on grand narratives, while emotionally resonant, does not guarantee electoral success. The real battleground lies in organisational fortification. The Congress, during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, downplayed electoral gains, emphasising its organisational objectives. Yet, the current proximity to the Lok Sabha elections raises questions about the yatra’s electoral intent. At this juncture, the party must recognise the imperative of meticulous election planning, robust booth-level strategies, and a united front against the formidable machinery and leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The unfortunate reality in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh underscores the party’s dire organisational state. Infighting among top leaders has significantly marred electoral prospects, revealing a pressing need for internal cohesion and strategic focus. Rahul’s choice of timing for this yatra raises eyebrows, diverting attention from critical organisational tasks. As the Congress navigates this intricate balance between symbolic narratives and ground-level realities, it faces a pivotal juncture that demands strategic wisdom and a holistic approach to strengthen its organisational backbone.
Crafting Unified Vision for INDIA Ahead of Congress Yatra
As the Congress gears up for its imminent yatra, a crucial prerequisite is a unified and coherent narrative for the INDI alliance. The risk of disparate voices within the alliance discussing divergent issues looms large, potentially confounding the electorate. With just three months remaining for the national elections, there’s an urgent need for Congress and its allies to articulate a clear vision, programme, and promises.
While a manifesto committee is in place, time is of the essence, and waiting for its conclusions may prove detrimental, as witnessed with the last-minute ‘NYAY’ campaign in 2019. Learning from past mistakes, the alliance must promptly decide and announce its key promises, slogan and overall narrative for the 2024 election campaign.
The potential confusion deepens if the Congress embarks on the yatra without a cohesive narrative from the Opposition. Varied focuses, from education and healthcare improvement to state-centric issues, risk diluting the impact. A unified approach to crucial themes like justice, inequality, and employment is essential. Without this harmonious stance, the yatra risks becoming a cacophony of disparate voices, undermining the opportunity for the Congress to shape a compelling narrative that resonates with the masses.
The Congress must swiftly bring all alliance members on board to present a unified voice that transcends individual party agendas.
Unity Beyond the Gandhi Legacy
In the intricate dance of Indian politics, the Congress party stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with the delicate balance between tradition and evolution. The looming national elections cast a spotlight on the party’s internal dynamics and its role within the broader Opposition alliance. The undeniable truth is that the Opposition parties seek collaboration with the Congress, especially in the Hindi heartland where a direct confrontation with the BJP beckons. However, a nuanced reluctance persists within the alliance regarding the leadership role of the Gandhi family. While the Congress attempts to break free from this familial stronghold, the inertia is evident.
A poignant question emerges: Why, when the Congress boasts a capable non-Gandhi leader like party president Mallikarjun Kharge, does Rahul Gandhi continue to spearhead the yatra as a former party president? This introspection is vital as the party grapples with the aftermath of the Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh elections, where the Gandhi family’s indecision fuelled internal strife. If the Congress acknowledges that an alliance is imperative to combat the BJP, every move must align with the alliance’s goals. The onus on the Congress as the primary partner is substantial; unity is paramount, and decisions should not confound alliance partners. A unilateral announcement of a yatra, months before the elections, underscores the importance of coherent planning and consultation.
The party must shed its feudal allegiance to the Gandhi family and broaden its vision beyond this legacy. To strengthen the alliance, meticulous steps include seat-sharing discussions, reaching out to state units, fortifying local organisations, engaging grassroots leaders, nurturing state-level leadership, and orchestrating mass outreach programmes.
In this transformative phase, the Congress’ destiny hangs in the balance. Will it break free from the shadows of the past and emerge as a dynamic force within a unified Opposition, or will it succumb to historical pitfalls? The party’s choices in the coming days will resonate far beyond individual ambitions, shaping the contours of India’s political landscape.
The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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