The Congress party has long been a significant thread in the colorful tapestry of Indian politics, intricately woven into the fabric of the country’s democratic journey. It had a commanding presence that shaped public opinion and policies for many years. But the party’s fortunes have declined recently. It is now losing momentum in elections and finding it difficult to engage the public. Although a number of reasons have contributed to this drop, the main reason is Congress’s media strategy and its effect on public opinion which has emerged as a major issue.
This report delves into the factors contributing to the decline of the oldest and one of the most prestigious political parties of India, The Indian National Congress. It focuses on how the party’s dependence on specific influencers and media outlets has caused a rift with the beliefs of the Indian public, which has cost them credibility and support. The report also looks at the party’s difficulties in state and federal elections, where a small number of candidates have emerged victorious in spite of strong central leadership. It also emphasizes how the party has not been able to live up to the expectations of voters in both rural and urban areas, delivering just lip service in the form of freebies and handouts.
Background
The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 by British members of the Theosophical society. Lead by notable attorneys of the era, such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Bhulabhai Desai, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Bhimrao Ambedkar, it became a crucial role in the fight for Indian independence.Post independence, Congress rose to prominence as the nation’s dominant political force, holding this position unopposed for nearly the whole 25 years following Indian Independence.
India saw four wars under the Congress leadership, including the humiliating defeat to China and the well-deserved wins against Pakistan; the country also saw its first nuclear tests, leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), emergency decrees, the license quota raj, economic liberalization in 1990, and a 49-year rise in corruption and nepotism that eventually became the norm in India’s political system.
Media Misstep/The Media Game
The introduction of digital platforms and social media has completely changed the way information is received and shared, causing a seismic shift in the media landscape in India. Political parties have had to modify their tactics in this new age of rapid communication in order to remain relevant and appealing to the general public. But Congress appears to be stumbling in this area, holding onto antiquated strategies that are working against them.
The linkage of Congress’s media strategy with some news content organizations and influencers that are viewed as prejudiced or insensitive towards the views of the majority of Indians is one of the main problems with the approach. Many individuals now believe that the party is disconnected from reality and is more concerned with advancing its own agenda than resolving the issues that the public is facing as a result of this.
The party’s handling of touchy subjects like caste and religion is a perfect illustration of this disconnect. Congress has frequently mishandled its narrative on these topics by depending too heavily on select media outlets and influencers, with the result that its messaging is viewed as polarizing or disconnected from the feelings of the majority. Many voters have been disenchanted with this, particularly those who believe their ideals and views are not being upheld or reflected.
Moreover, in contrast to its political competitors, Congress has adopted a mediocre social media strategy. Congress has found it difficult to have the same influence as the present administration, which has been successful in interacting with people and influencing public opinion through the use of social media platforms. Due to this, the party is now lagging behind in the digital race, with its messages frequently being obscured by those of more nimble and technologically adept rivals.The media’s mistreatment of Congress is also a result of its incapacity to successfully refute the narrative that is being constructed against it. The party has a history of responding slowly to accusations and criticism, which has allowed unfavorable opinions to develop. This has further damaged the party’s reputation and made it harder for them to make up ground.
BJP on the other hand, has taken much more initiative to slant the media narrative in its favor. Even as Congress is having difficulty finding its voice, the government has managed to stay very much in the public eye through a combination of press briefings, social media initiatives, and smart messaging.
To make sure that its narrative is in line with the goals and ideals of the Indian voters, the party needs to reevaluate its relationships with certain media outlets and influencers.
The Dynasty Politics
Congress, a mass-based party, has historically relied on the popularity of the Nehru-Gandhi family since independence. However, the Gandhi surname has lost its glamor due to corruption and scandals, and the family’s arrogance has become too pronounced. Congress has a coterie surrounding the Nehru-Gandhi family, projecting them as powerful leaders in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. Congress has developed Gandhi as a national leader, but Rahul Gandhi, despite his mediocre politics, struggles to meet leadership demands and is unable to become a great leader due to his lack of support from caste groups and corruption.
Failed Leadership
The Indian National Congress (INC) has been experiencing a decline in recent years, with many blaming the party’s leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, for this decline. Gandhi took over as Vice President in 2013 and became its President in 2017. However, his leadership has been marked by electoral losses and a lack of clear vision for the party. Critics argue that Gandhi lacks the political acumen and charisma of his predecessors, such as Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Congress party has suffered several electoral setbacks under Gandhi’s leadership, including a worst-ever performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and minor gains in the 2018 state elections. His failure to articulate a clear strategy for the party has led to accusations of a lack of direction, alienating many within the party who believe he is unable to lead them to victory.
Internal dissent within the party has further weakened the party’s unity and effectiveness as an opposition force. The decline of the Congress party under Gandhi’s leadership has significant implications for Indian politics, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the dominant political force in the country. The lack of a strong opposition raises questions about the accountability of the government and the future direction of Indian politics.
In conclusion, Rahul Gandhi’s leadership of the Congress party has been marked by electoral setbacks, a lack of clear strategy, and internal dissent. As the Congress party grapples with these challenges, the future of Indian politics hangs in the balance.
Left of Center
The Congress party, a centrist force in Indian politics, has a complex history of supporting left ideologies. Its origins are in the socialist principles promoted by luminaries of the pre-independence era like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose. The party has backed left-leaning policies such as programs for social assistance, government-led development projects, and measures to lessen income disparity. Additionally, it has been an outspoken supporter of secularism. The Congress party appeals to a wide range of voters because, in spite of its support for leftist ideology, it takes a centrist stance on many topics.
Its political success has been largely attributed to its ability to move across this ideological range. The party’s advocacy of leftist ideology has influenced Indian politics and shaped the social and economic policies of the nation. On the other hand, opponents have also criticized it, claiming that the party is too leftist.
Minority Appeasement
The Indian National Congress (INC) has been accused of practicing minority appeasement, a strategy aimed at garnering support from minority communities. The party has a long history of advocating for minority rights, particularly Muslim communities. Critics argue that the party’s approach has been more about political expediency than genuine concern for minority rights. The party has made promises to minority communities, such as reservations and special privileges, in exchange for their votes. This practice has had several implications on Indian politics, including maintaining a loyal voter base among minority communities, fostering communal tensions, and alienating the majority Hindu community. Although this minority appeasement has failed to address root causes of minority marginalization, such as poverty, lack of education, and social discrimination. Detractors of the Congress party argue that minority appeasement is a necessary strategy to protect minority rights in a diverse and pluralistic society. The debate over minority appeasement is likely to remain a central feature of India’s political landscape as India grapples with identity and diversity issues.
Economic Impact
Congress in India created a state apparatus that prioritized providing freebies and handouts over encouraging entrepreneurship and economic activity. Indians saw government jobs as a ticket to upward social mobility, and foreign goods became desirable. The government infrastructure ensured that the business class remained in the hands of a few high-ranking officials, while the rest of the Indian population dreamed of job opportunities. Economic activities were scrutinized, and development was seen with suspicion. Congress also recreated the class divide among Indians by creating vote banks based on religion and caste, where members voted in blocks out of fear of being overtaken by other communities. The reservation idea was institutionally blind to an applicant’s economic backwardness, ensuring the robustness of vote bank politics.
Governance Paralysis
During the Congress rule, the government in India became paralyzed, fearing to take decisions and preferring to pass the buck. This led to the brain drain phenomenon, where Indians who had to wait for a year for passports started securing opportunities in the west. This led to a rediscovery of India, allowing young people to open businesses and work on new technologies. This led to a shift in the Bharat back home, with young people from Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, and Andhra taking advantage of opportunities to make a name. Foreign-returned individuals became a national asset, commanding higher dowry than government servants in the marriage market.
Electoral Challenges
The Indian National Congress, despite its strong central leadership, has faced significant challenges in state and federal elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party won only 52 out of 542 seats, a decline from the 2014 elections. The party has struggled to compete with regional parties, internal divisions, and policy disconnect, which has weakened its electoral prospects. The party has also been criticized for its perceived disconnect with the needs and concerns of the electorate. Congress has also failed due to its flawed policies. Congress adopted “hatred of Modi” as their platform. Its entire strategy has been centered around this due to which Congress so utterly failed. Rahul was a greenhorn in 2014, and he committed far too many mistakes in 2019. The party was entirely destroyed by the “Chowkidar Chor Hai.”
Conclusion
The Congress Party’s upheaval in India has drawn criticism for its lack of transparency . Over time, the party has become more pure as leaders who put India first have been replaced by unelected and unelectable candidates. These days, despite strong leadership, the party struggles in both state and federal elections, with just a small percentage of votes being won. Despite their best efforts, the party continues to receive criticism over these individuals’ removal. India has high expectations of the Congress Party, but they have not been met yet. The party gives India nothing more than promises of handouts and freebies, despite the claims of many that it is because of Rahul Gandhi’s incompetence or lack of political vision.
India needs better governance, service, infrastructure, and opportunities, not just freebies and dole-outs. The Congress party should offer these to India, as it may encourage voting for them again. India wants equal opportunity without caste, creed, religion, or regionalism. India’s time has come, and anyone in the way of progress will be obliterated, as seen with the Indian National Congress.
