The defeat of the Congress in four states has made the Gandhi-Vadra leadership and the party a ‘non-performing asset’. Before the elections, there were bright prospects for the Congress in these states, but the party high command could not capitalize on it in its favor. The way Priyanka Gandhi appeared active in Uttar Pradesh, the party did not get success. The performance of Congress in UP got worse.
The outcome will also affect the internal equations of the Congress and its prospects in active opposition politics. The defeat has also raised questions on the mere ‘right to family inheritance’ to play a leadership role in the Congress. The Congress camp will also admit that the BJP’s performance in four states has tarnished its prospects for 2024.
AAP boosted after victory in Punjab
At the same time, AAP’s victory in Punjab will motivate it to expand into Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. AAP will challenge the monopoly of the Congress against the BJP in these states. Even though the Trinamool Congress failed to win in Goa, Mamata Banerjee is also likely to continue raiding Congress grounds and leaders.
Emphasis is being placed on the unity of the opposition
After the results, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, TRS’s Keshav Rao and the victorious AAP leaders stressed the need for opposition parties to be proactive in mobilizing anti-BJP unity and efforts, indicating the Congress’s declining role.
Will there be a big decision in the Central Working Committee meeting of Congress?
The internal discord within the party is also believed to be the biggest reason for the defeat. However, the Congress’s latest defeat came when the party president’s election is going to be held a few months later. Meanwhile, in view of the results of five states, the party said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has decided that a meeting of the Central Working Committee will be convened, in which the defeat will be reviewed.
Surjewala said – the party needs to work on the ground
Talking to the media at the Congress headquarters after the election results, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said better performance was expected in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Goa. This election is a lesson for us that the party needs to work on the ground. In these elections, emotional issues have been dominating over emotional issues, he said. But we will continue to raise the voice of the people.