FairPoint: Congress Faces Criticism as Allies Advocate for New Leadership in INDIA Bloc

New Delhi, Dec 8 (NationPress) The inquiry -- is it the appropriate moment for the opposition minus Congress to assert its identity today -- does not seem exaggerated any longer. The shift has commenced, and strong voices are urging a change in the leadership of the INDIA bloc.

Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav – two key players in the bloc – have begun to target Congress at its most vulnerable aspects. Their party leaders are openly and indirectly challenging the grand old party and its leader Rahul Gandhi.

Their claims are not without basis. The Congress party has seen a decline in its appeal over the last few decades, even as the electoral fortunes of the Gandhi family have prospered. It has struggled to capitalize on issues and challenge the Modi-led government, often appearing preoccupied with businessmen and the Prime Minister.

Even with Mallikarjun Kharge as its president, Congress is largely viewed as a Gandhi family-dominated party. The family has thrived, with Rahul Gandhi securing two Lok Sabha seats – Wayanad and Rae Bareli; Priyanka Gandhi Vadra achieving a significant victory in Wayanad after her brother opted to stay in Rae Bareli; and their mother, Sonia Gandhi, successfully transitioning to the Rajya Sabha after relinquishing Rae Bareli Lok Sabha for her son. Family ally Kishori Lal Sharma won the Amethi Lok Sabha seat from Smriti Irani. The family has secured its future, but the party has stumbled. Aside from Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, Congress has underperformed in most other states.

The party's improved performance in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections is attributed to its regional allies. For example, in Uttar Pradesh, it was primarily Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP) that excelled within the INDIA bloc and assisted Congress's gains too. The Samajwadi Party increased its tally from five to 37 seats, with its vote share rising from 18.11 percent to 33.59 percent. Congress also improved its vote share by over three percent to 9.46 percent, winning six seats compared to one previously.

While SP aided Congress in Uttar Pradesh, the grand old party was unwilling to accommodate Akhilesh Yadav’s party in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.

In the latest bypolls, Congress performed poorly compared to its INDIA bloc allies. The Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party outperformed Congress significantly. The only silver lining for Congress was its victory in all three seats in Karnataka and retaining one in Madhya Pradesh. However, its results in Rajasthan, Assam, Punjab, and Gujarat were disappointing.

In the Jharkhand Assembly elections, which the INDIA bloc celebrated, it's crucial to acknowledge that the JMM led by Hemant Soren was the one securing victory, not Congress. In the South, the DMK has been thriving and has sidelined Congress, although it is a partner in the INDIA bloc. The only region where the grand old party has managed to maintain its position is Karnataka.

The opposition minus Congress is beginning to voice its opinions openly, with Mamata Banerjee taking the lead.

In Bengal, she has sustained her dominance in Lok Sabha elections, Assembly polls, and various bypolls, remaining undefeated. She has effectively prevented the BJP from expanding its influence in the state and has restrained the Left and Congress.

The Trinamool's supremacy in West Bengal has strengthened its standing within the INDIA bloc, particularly following recent bypoll victories in the state. These consecutive wins have solidified Mamata Banerjee's status as a formidable anti-BJP force within the opposition bloc.

Her party leaders are urging Congress and other INDIA bloc allies to put aside their egos and acknowledge Mamata Banerjee as the alliance’s leader. They have also stated that Congress should take a backseat.

The results from the Maharashtra Assembly elections appear to be the final straw for the opposition minus Congress. Shortly after some Trinamool Congress MPs suggested she should take the lead in the INDIA bloc, Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to assume leadership of the alliance.

The Samajwadi Party quickly rallied behind her, urging the INDIA bloc to deliberate on Mamata Banerjee's proposal and offering their complete support and cooperation. The party has also demanded that Congress bear responsibility for the losses in Haryana and Maharashtra, where it was the main party. The CPI has similarly criticized Congress for failing to accommodate its allies, particularly in the Haryana and Maharashtra elections.

Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule has positively responded to Mamata Banerjee's statement, expressing that they would be pleased if the Trinamool Congress chief took on a greater role within the alliance.

As Congress continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Maharashtra defeat, it may struggle to dismiss the demands of its INDIA allies this time. Whether the party undertakes introspection remains uncertain, but the opposition minus Congress is in need of asserting itself, and this is the moment to do so.

(Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)