New Delhi, February 22: The resignation of former Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Bora, citing ‘disrespect’ within the party, has reignited questions about Congress’s deteriorating political standing and the role of its central leadership. Bora’s departure to join the BJP just before the elections has intensified discussions about organizational weaknesses and internal strife.
Political analysts believe that Congress units in several states are marginalizing due to internal factionalism, mutual distrust, and a lack of coordination with allied parties. Critics argue that the alleged ‘sluggishness’ in decision-making by the top leadership and their failure to intervene timely are contributing to the party’s ongoing decline.
In Karnataka, a long-standing power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar persists. Despite meetings with Rahul Gandhi, differences remain unresolved.
In Himachal Pradesh, a conflict over the state president position has emerged between the factions led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Pratibha Singh. The party attempted to restore balance by dissolving the state unit, but discontent lingers.
In Delhi, where Congress once held power for 15 years under Sheila Dikshit, the party now struggles to present a united front. Disagreements between Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja in Haryana have jeopardized the party’s prospects for the 2025 assembly elections.
In Punjab, clashes between Captain Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu have tarnished the party’s image. Although Charanjit Singh Channi was later entrusted with leadership, significant damage had already occurred.
Despite dissolving its organization in Uttar Pradesh, Congress has failed to revive its fortunes. The party is also facing disarray in northeastern states, particularly Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has distanced itself from Congress. In Jharkhand, an alliance with Hemant Soren’s party has not yielded the expected results.
In Bihar, Congress is viewed as a ‘burden’ despite its alliance with the RJD. The party’s organization in Odisha continues to weaken. The conflict between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan is seen as a major reason for losing power in 2023. In Gujarat and Maharashtra, Congress has struggled to challenge the BJP for over two decades.
In Tamil Nadu, despite an alliance with the DMK, disagreements over seat-sharing are creating uncomfortable situations ahead of upcoming elections.
Overall, persistent factionalism, a leadership crisis, and a lack of coordination with allies have weakened Congress’s position. This raises the question of whether the current challenges facing the party can be attributed to the strategies and intervention style of its top leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi.
