Establishment of Congress Party: The history and current status of the Indian National Congress is a vast and complex subject. Congress has an important place in Indian politics and to understand its various aspects it is necessary to analyze its formation, objectives, achievements, failures and current status.
Establishment and objectives of Congress
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on 28 December 1885 in Mumbai. It is called A.O. Leaders like Hume, Dada Bhai Naoroji, and Dinshaw Wacha started together. On this day, on the initiative of AO Hume, a prominent member of the Theosophical Society, people of political and social ideologies from different parts of the country gathered on one platform at the Gokuldas Sanskrit College grounds in Bombay (now Mumbai). This political unity transformed into an organization, which was named ‘Congress’.
The objective of the Congress was initially to provide a platform for dialogue among Indians with the British administration. Its basic objectives were: To establish dialogue and unity among different sections of Indian society. To protect the political, economic, and social rights of Indians. To demand reforms and greater autonomy from the British government.
At the time of the establishment of Congress, there were 72 more members along with Hume. After the formation of the party, Hume became the founding General Secretary and Womesh Chandra Banerjee was appointed the first President of the party. In her presidential address, Banerjee emphasized on creating a new environment of social harmony in the country. Since then, the party has got 56 presidents. The command of the party has been with the Nehru-Gandhi family for maximum 45 years.
Congress’s association with Nehru-Gandhi family
The Nehru-Gandhi family played a limited role in the Congress from 1885 to 1919. Motilal Nehru became Congress President in the Amritsar session in 1919. He again became the president in 1928. After this, his son Jawaharlal Nehru took over the reins of the Congress. Jawaharlal Nehru again became President in 1936 and 1937. After independence, he held the post of President for four consecutive years from 1951 to 1954. Indira Gandhi became Congress President in 1959 and led the party from 1978 to 1983. Rajiv Gandhi took charge in 1985. In 1998, Sonia Gandhi became president and led the party for 19 years. Rahul Gandhi became president in 2017, but stepped down in 2019. The Indian National Congress rapidly gained popularity in the early years of the 20th century. It played a central role in the freedom struggle. However, the Congress had to face divisions several times. Partition of 1907: At the Surat session, the Congress divided into two factions – moderates and extremists. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was prominent among the moderate leaders and Bal Gangadhar Tilak was prominent among the extremist leaders. 1923: Chittaranjan Das founded the Swaraj Party. 1930-1940 period: Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Congress took steps like Satyagraha and non-cooperation movement.
1939: Subhash Chandra Bose founded the All India Forward Bloc. Partition after 1947: After India’s independence, Congress had to face partition several times. The major splits are as follows: 1969: Indira Gandhi separated from the Congress Party and founded the Congress (I).1978: After the Emergency, another split of the Congress took place.
1999: Sharad Pawar separated from Congress and formed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). 2016: Ajit Jogi formed Chhattisgarh Janata Congress. 2022: Captain Amarinder Singh formed Punjab Lok Congress. Expulsion of Indira Gandhi from the party in 1969 and 1978. Indira Gandhi in 1969 Gandhi was expelled from the Congress. After this he formed Congress (R). In 1978 he founded the Congress (I).
Mallikarjun Kharge: Non-Gandhi President
In 2022, Congress made Mallikarjun Kharge the national president. This was the first time in decades that the leadership of the party was handed over to a person from a non-Gandhi family.
Major leaders of Congress and their role
The Indian National Congress has given many great leaders to the country, whose contribution is invaluable. Major leaders are:
Mahatma Gandhi: Led the freedom struggle through non-violence and Satyagraha. Jawaharlal Nehru: The first Prime Minister of independent India, who laid the foundation of modern India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: The Iron Man of India, who ensured the unity of the country. Indira Gandhi : The first woman Prime Minister of India, who took many bold steps, such as nationalization of banks and Green Revolution.
Rajiv Gandhi: Founder of the modern technological and information revolution.
Current status of Congress
Today the position of Congress is weak. The party faced crushing defeat in the 2014 and 2019 general elections.
For the 2024 elections, an attempt was made to focus on party reorganization and public relations, which had some effect.
History and contribution of Congress
Congress played a central role in the Indian freedom struggle. There were many people who were initially in favor of this party. Congress played a role in the Quit India Movement of 1942, then strengthened democracy after independence, and contributed to economic development through the Five Year Plans.
Green Revolution and White Revolution were also started by Congress. Tried hard to ensure the rights of women and minorities.
internal disputes of congress
Like every party, internal conflicts have been seen in this party from time to time. Be it for the election of the post of Speaker or for the name of the Chief Minister of any state. Congress has seen many internal disputes in its history. In the last ten years, along with the opposition, the leaders of their party have also been raising questions on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. There are many factions within the party. In today’s time, the old ideology of the party and the new challenges have been raised. Lack of coordination can be seen between. At the same time, opportunistic politics and political parties uniting and separating after the elections are further weakening the party.
Congress: Similarities between then and now
Democratic Values: Congress has been a supporter of democratic values since its formation. Even today, the basis of the party is to maintain democracy. Diversity: Like then, even today the party claims to take different communities and ideologies together.Social Justice: Commitment towards the upliftment of the deprived sections of the society has been the permanent policy of the party.
Leadership: Initially, prominent leaders led the freedom struggle under the leadership of Congress. Today the party depends on the leadership of the Gandhi family.
Congress: Inequalities then and now
Objective: Earlier the objective of Congress was to achieve independence, whereas today its objective is to return to power and solve modern problems. Strength of Organization: Earlier Congress was strong at the grassroots level. Today the party is struggling with a weak organizational structure and lack of public relations. Leadership crisis: Earlier the party had strong and decisive leaders, whereas today the leadership is weak and surrounded by controversies. Ideological clarity: Earlier the party had a clear goal, Whereas today the party has failed to take a clear and concrete stand on various issues.
Ways to reform Congress
Leadership Reforms: The party needs a strong and decisive leadership, who can unify the party. Organizational restructuring: There is a need to strengthen the organization at the grassroots level and give a chance to new leadership. Focus on new issues: youth, employment, And focus should be on modern issues like climate change. Increasing public relations: The party should strengthen its base in its traditional support base and urban areas. Alliance strategy: BJP will have to be countered by forming strong alliances with regional parties.
Challenges before Congress in modern times
Congress leaders have formed new parties in many states. Jaganmohan Reddy (YSR Congress), Kuldeep Bishnoi (Haryana Janhit Congress), and others broke away from Sonia Gandhi’s leadership and formed their own parties. The Indian National Congress has acknowledged its historical contributions and challenges. Has also played an important role in Indian politics. However, divisions in the party and the rise of new parties have weakened it. But it is still trying to maintain its identity in national politics.
possibilities
The prospects for Congress in the future depend on many things. The organization should be reorganized, youth should be included in the leadership and new faces should be made a part of the party. A strong alliance should be formed with regional parties and every district-wise leader should increase his public relations at the grassroots level. The Indian National Congress has a glorious history, but currently the party is facing challenges. If the party can resolve its internal differences and succeed in connecting with the public, it can regain a prominent place in Indian politics.