With the rise of regional parties, Congress faces uphill battle in reclaiming share of an already polarized voter base

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* 

The Parliament recently debated the Constitution, but the entire discussion resembled a debate on a Confidence Motion or a No Confidence Motion, depending on one’s political allegiance. Unfortunately, the discourse devolved into political rhetoric of the lowest order, reducing the session to little more than a circus. This lack of constructive debate is detrimental to India, as neither the ruling party nor the opposition appears genuinely interested in engaging in thoughtful discussions that could positively impact the nation.

Despite some commendable speeches, the showdown boiled down to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response. Rahul Gandhi introduced references to the Manusmriti and Dronacharya—perhaps a first in parliamentary debates—but it’s unclear whether this will benefit the Congress in the long run. Similarly, the issue of caste census as a supposed “panacea” for social evils feels like another rhetorical flourish. Congress must introspect: will these issues yield long-term political gains?

With the rise of regional and Dalit-Bahujan parties, Congress faces an uphill battle in reclaiming a share of an already polarized voter base. While Rahul Gandhi is often lauded for being above “power politics,” the reality of parliamentary democracy demands effective outreach and coalition-building. His efforts to amplify marginalized voices are commendable, but he must ensure his message does not come across as deliberate provocation to opponents. To gain power, Congress and Rahul Gandhi must learn to reconcile contradictions, build alliances, and adopt an inclusive approach. The BJP has mastered this art, accommodating smaller parties while simultaneously dominating them.

Congress also needs to rebuild its organizational structure. Narendra Modi and the BJP have succeeded in turning even Congress’s former allies—like the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena, and Trinamool Congress—against it. Ironically, many of these parties seem more threatened by Congress than the BJP.

Rahul Gandhi’s focus on caste census and anti-caste narratives might further alienate these regional players, as it directly targets their core voter base. India is still far from a presidential system; in the parliamentary framework, parties require both a committed cadre and strong community ties. Despite its rhetoric, Congress has failed to bring marginalized communities into its fold because it lacks grassroots-level leaders who can amplify Rahul Gandhi’s message. The party’s savarna (upper-caste) leadership seems hesitant, waiting to see if these efforts will bear fruit. Without empowering Dalit-Bahujan leaders in key positions, Congress will struggle to defend itself against BJP’s consistent mockery of Rahul Gandhi.

As expected, Narendra Modi deflected the debate by attacking the Nehru-Gandhi family, portraying them as the enemies of democracy and progress. Discrediting Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi has become central to the BJP’s effort to claim the legacy of India’s freedom movement on behalf of the RSS and saffron ideology. Congress needs a robust and well-articulated response to such rhetoric. However, Rahul Gandhi’s choice of topics—while bold—may inadvertently put Congress in a difficult position, forcing it to defend past policies and actions.

Rahul Gandhi must present a new vision for India. He should articulate clearly that the country still needs a welfare state—one built on the foundations laid by Nehru and the Congress. It was this vision that created an inclusive India and protected the Constitution. On controversial issues like the Emergency, anti-Sikh riots, or Operation Blue Star, Congress must stand firm, emphasizing that it has acknowledged its mistakes, sought apologies, and moved forward. The party’s continued relevance in Punjab, despite these controversies, is a testament to its resilience, unlike the BJP, which remains on the fringes in the state.

BJP often highlights communal disturbances under Congress governments, but a closer examination reveals the root causes and the entities responsible for spreading such unrest. More often than not, the answer points to the same forces that now preach constitutional morality.

It is ironic that those who once rejected the Constitution now posture as its defenders. True respect for the Constitution lies not in idolizing it but in implementing its directive principles—ensuring land reforms, providing equitable education, dignified housing, and accessible healthcare for all. Respecting the Constitution means embracing the ideals of social justice, socialism, and secularism enshrined within it. This involves fostering diversity, inclusion, and participation across all communities, regardless of caste, religion, or region.

Political parties must reflect on their track records concerning these issues and inform the public accordingly.

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*Human rights defender