Congress and India Face Unprecedented Tests of Resilience

The city of Hyderabad has joined the list of renowned Indian cities governed by the INDIA bloc government, along with Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Patna. The addition of Hyderabad to this list is significant, as it brings together six major cities that serve as influential centers for ideas and policies.

The recent election results in Telangana, where the Congress party emerged victorious, have also sparked discussions about a supposed North-South divide in the country. However, it is important to note that cities like Kolkata and Patna are not part of South India, and neither are Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, or Hyderabad, which has a significant population of Hindustani speakers.

The real political divide in India is between the BJP and its allies on one side, and the INDIA bloc on the other. The recent losses of the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh have raised questions about the future of the INDIA bloc and the Congress party itself.

The INDIA bloc was initially seen as a promising idea, bringing together parties that historically fought against each other to protect the nation’s democratic institutions and the rule of law. However, the lack of a common approach to the recent elections has affected not only the Congress party but also the entire bloc.

It is important for the Congress party to analyze its failures in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, including its failure to gauge the voters’ mood. This analysis should be truthful and unsparing, as it will pave the way for improvement and renewal. The INDIA Alliance and the Bharat Jodo Yatra were important initiatives in the face of anti-democratic forces in the country, and they should not be abandoned despite the setbacks.

The idea of uniting India, as symbolized by the Bharat Jodo Yatra, remains crucial in the current political landscape. It signifies a new politics where the needs of the people take precedence over mobilized noise. The Congress party cannot claim sole ownership of this idea, and the INDIA Alliance should not disregard it simply because Rahul Gandhi championed it.

While the Congress and the INDIA Alliance must address important issues such as conducting a caste census and addressing the needs of unemployed millions, the Knit India or Bharat Jodo call can elevate these concerns and contribute to a stronger and more united India.

(Rajmohan Gandhi’s latest book is “India After 1947: Reflections and Recollections”)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author.