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State of Congress: a party cut off from society, preoccupied with leadership

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7 years ago

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State of Congress: a party cut off from society, preoccupied with leadership

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Rajesh Sinha

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting today to discuss the party’s second successive humiliating defeat in Lok Sabha elections went along expected lines.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi offered to step down from his position. CWC rejected it unanimously.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the CWC has given its party chief Rahul Gandhi the right to make changes to restructure the party. He said that a plan for this will be brought soon.

The meeting was attended by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, chief ministers of party-ruled states and other top leaders from across the country. Congress won just 52 seats in the 542-member lower house, up from 44 seats it had secured in its worst-ever performance in the 2014 general elections.

Rahul Gandhi, according to media reports, is adamant at quitting his post and has also told party leaders not to choose his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to replace him. The unsaid part is the intention to counter the criticism of the party belonging to the ‘dynasty’.

The deliberations of the Congress always go along the same lines with similar decisions. It is a classic example of “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. It may not be insanity, as the quote, widely attributed to Albert Einstein, defines it, but it certainly depicts loss of organisational memory, lack of imagination, and laziness of thought translated into lack of action on the ground.

A day earlier, media reports said there have been voices within to introspect on why the party failed to reach out to the people. The Congress’s unprecedented slide has raised questions about both its future and the role of the Nehru-Gandhi family, which led the party through some of its most glorious days, said reports.

The most crucial aspect that needs to be fixed is missing in all the deliberations the party has held.

The party badly needs to put its organisation in order (or, as some would say, ‘build an organisation’ to begin with), work out a clear stand on social and political issues, and establish a connect with the people.

The BJP is the only party that engages with society in its political work which is complemented by its associated outfits in the RSS fraternity. They run schools, they organise functions, yatras, celebrate festivals, et al. Congress leaders hold only iftar parties, at the most.

The party needs to be in touch with what is happening in society – ‘feel its pulse’, so to say. This is sorely missing. The Congress does not only lack a social agenda to guide and lead the people, it is out of touch with them.

During Narendra Modi government first term, NDA-II, there were several occasions when different sections of people in different parts of the country held strong protest rallies and marches. All that energy went waste without Congress or any other opposition party tapping into it. Where was the Congress when people were getting lynched and ‘gaurakshaks’ were on rampage? What did it do when JNU students and the institution itself was targeted? Where was it when farmers protests – the strongest in decades – happened, and happened repeatedly? What did it do to organise or mobilise the lakhs of students and unemployed youth?

The Congress was unaware of their resentment till it was out in the open. The party didn’t have a clue any such issue existed. When the protests happened, the Congress issued statements expressing its support. But the party was never seen with the people, working on the ground. The support was confined to press conferences.

Congress spokespersons would issue a statement and the job was considered done. Sometimes, to express stronger support, the statement would come from Rahul Gandhi himself. That was the highest level of engagement with people and social issues.

This was not always the case with Congress. Congress workers would take out ‘prabhatpheris’ in which they would go out and meet/contact people in morning walks, hold ‘chaupal’ in villages and talk about social issues, social reform or politics. That was about three decades ago: a long long time.Now they are not to be seen anywhere. What stops the Congress from running schools and hospitals, theatre programmes, promoting artists, sportspersons, centres of wings to help resolve people’s problems? Just lack of imagination and thought.

The Congressalso needs to give up its reliance only on a leader at the top to build its political capital. In fact, from the time of Indira Gandhi onwards, the party has relied exclusively on a top leader to get votes. Everything is top-down.

This was brought out hilariously in an interview of Congress leader and Madhya Pradesh chief minister in The Indian Express:

“Q. To what do you attribute the rout the Congress suffered in Madhya Pradesh?

  1. An assessment will be made…I have not been in touch with Delhi yet.”

A state’s chief minister needs the party’s central leadership to tell him what went wrong, or approve his assessment.

This needs to change, and it has to go to the bottom of the party – even if this change is also ordered from the top.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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MDMK ends nine-year alliance with DMK, keeps options open on joining Vijay-led front

MDMK has formally severed ties with the DMK after nine years, while refraining from immediately joining Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s alliance.

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1 day ago

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June 27, 2026

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The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), led by Vaiko, has formally ended its nine-year association with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), marking a significant shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. The decision was taken during the party’s general council meeting held on Friday.

MDMK cites attempts to weaken party

In resolutions adopted at the meeting, the MDMK alleged that efforts had been made to weaken the party within the DMK-led alliance, making it difficult to continue the association. The party also claimed there were attempts aimed at facilitating an AIADMK return to power, allegations that were rejected by the DMK.

Although political observers have speculated about the MDMK moving closer to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party did not formally announce any alliance with the ruling front. Instead, it said decisions regarding future political alignments would be taken at an appropriate time.

Warm remarks for Vijay government fuel speculation

The MDMK’s resolutions welcomed the state government’s functioning under Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and urged it to remain committed to key promises, including ensuring corruption-free governance and safeguarding Tamil Nadu’s interests on issues such as the Mekedatu dam project. These remarks have intensified speculation about a possible future understanding between the two sides.

The development comes amid broader political realignments in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections, with several parties reassessing their alliances in the changed political scenario.

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India News

Fadnavis, Uddhav Thackeray share Mumbai-Nagpur flight amid Maharashtra political developments

Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray shared a Mumbai-Nagpur flight, drawing attention amid ongoing political developments in Maharashtra.

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2 days ago

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June 27, 2026

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Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray were seen travelling on the same commercial flight from Mumbai to Nagpur, triggering fresh political discussions in the state.

The two leaders, who have remained political rivals in recent years, reportedly exchanged greetings and briefly interacted during the journey. Reacting to the unexpected encounter, Fadnavis remarked that the meeting of the leaders had become the “biggest news of the day”.

Thackeray was accompanied by his son and MLA Aaditya Thackeray, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and other senior leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT). The flight came at a time when Maharashtra politics has witnessed significant developments, including recent defections from the Thackeray-led party.

The shared journey quickly sparked speculation in political circles. However, leaders from the ruling alliance played down the development, describing it as a routine interaction between political opponents rather than an indication of any new political understanding.

While the brief interaction generated considerable attention, no political discussions or meetings beyond customary greetings were officially reported.

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Amit Shah says Centre will amend NDPS Act to tighten crackdown on drug syndicates

Amit Shah said the Centre is relooking the NDPS Act to plug loopholes exploited by narco syndicates and strengthen anti-drug enforcement across India.

Published

2 days ago

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June 26, 2026

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Centre is preparing amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to close loopholes allegedly exploited by drug trafficking networks and strengthen India’s anti-narcotics framework.

Addressing the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi, Shah said the government is re-examining the existing law and invited states to submit suggestions for the proposed changes. The amendments are being worked on by the Ministry of Finance to make the legislation more effective in tackling organised drug syndicates.

Centre seeks stronger legal framework against narcotics

Shah stressed the need for a tougher approach towards drug traffickers and peddlers, while advocating a compassionate stance towards victims of addiction. He outlined a three-pronged strategy against drug trafficking — “detect, disrupt and destroy” — and urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts against the narcotics menace.

The Home Minister also asked state governments to share suggestions on strengthening the NDPS Act. Directors General of Police have been asked to forward recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs, while Chief Secretaries can submit their inputs to the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.

Seizures of synthetic drugs rise over past decade

Highlighting the government’s anti-drug campaign, Shah said that between 2004 and 2014, around 26 lakh kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized across the country. In comparison, agencies confiscated approximately 1.18 crore kilograms of synthetic drugs between 2014 and 2026.

He further said the estimated value of drugs seized during 2014-2026 stood at around Rs 1.84 lakh crore, significantly higher than the nearly Rs 40,000 crore worth of narcotics seized during the previous decade. According to Shah, these figures reflect the expanded scale and effectiveness of anti-drug enforcement efforts.

The minister also called for real-time information sharing among states through digital platforms developed by the Narcotics Control Bureau and urged authorities to ensure NCORD meetings deliver measurable outcomes. He unveiled the “Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029)”, which aims to provide a roadmap for reducing drug demand, curbing supply and minimising harm caused by substance abuse.

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