The year 2024 was a tumultuous one for the Indian National Congress (INC), marked by internal strife, electoral defeats, and a growing disillusionment among its traditional support base. Yet, it also laid the foundation for a possible resurgence, as the party regrouped, recalibrated, and reflected on its role in Indian politics ahead of 2025.
Prospects for Congress in 2025
Despite the numerous setbacks of 2024, there is hope for Congress in 2025, but it hinges on several critical factors.
1st, Leadership Reorganization: If Congress is to make a comeback, it will need to undergo significant leadership restructuring. A fresh leadership, unencumbered by the baggage of past failures, might help restore confidence among voters. Younger leaders who can appeal to the aspirations of the youth and present a more dynamic, inclusive vision for India could help turn the tide.
2nd, Alliance Strategies: Congress will need to strengthen its ties within the INDIA coalition while also looking for opportunities to form alliances with regional parties. This will require compromises and a shift from the traditional centralizing tendencies of the Congress party to a more decentralized approach that respects the aspirations of regional players.
3rd, Narrative Building: In 2025, Congress must focus on rebuilding its narrative. The party needs to offer a vision that resonates with the aspirations of all Indians, not just specific segments. This means focusing on issues like economic reforms, job creation, and social justice while also articulating a compelling vision for India’s future.
4th, Youth and Technology: The future of politics in India is increasingly digital. Congress needs to invest in harnessing technology and social media to reach younger voters, who have been pivotal in shaping political outcomes. By using technology strategically, Congress can bridge the gap between its traditional base and new, tech-savvy generations.
Final, Focus on Governance: Congress must shift its focus back to governance. States like Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have seen some positive policy initiatives under Congress leadership, and the party must build on these successes, offering real solutions to issues like unemployment, education, and healthcare.
Internal Struggles and Leadership Challenges
One of the most significant upheavals for Congress was the persistent challenge over leadership and direction hence new Strategy must be formulated to face new challenges in 2025. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, while revitalizing the party to some extent especially rejuvenation of his new pro people image, continued to be a point of contention. Despite efforts to broaden his appeal and present a more modern face to the electorate, the party struggled to shed the perception that it was a dynastic outfit, beholden to the Nehru-Gandhi family.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) was often embroiled in debates over leadership changes, with some advocating for a fresh face to lead the party, while others continued to support Rahul Gandhi, citing his role as the party’s best hope in countering the BJP’s dominance. This internal divide played out in public, weakening the party’s image and leaving it vulnerable to criticisms of disarray. In the crucial 2024 state elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the Congress was unable to present a unified front, leading to electoral setbacks and further eroding its base.
The growing call for generational change within Congress was another sign of the party’s internal fractures. Younger leaders, such as Sachin Pilot, Shashi Tharoor etc., sought to steer the party towards a more progressive and assertive agenda, but their attempts to gain prominence were often side-lined by the party’s old guard. This tension between the old and new factions within Congress made it difficult to formulate coherent strategies for the 2024 elections, leading to missed opportunities and significant losses.
Electoral Defeats and the Rise of Regional Parties
The state elections were disastrous for Congress in several key states. In Uttar Pradesh, the party’s performance was abysmal, as it failed to make inroads against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP), despite the apparent disillusionment with the ruling party at the state and national levels. Congress’s vote share remained stagnant, and the lack of a coherent strategy and local leadership further alienated voters.
In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Congress faced its own set of challenges. Despite the relatively high anti-incumbency sentiment against the BJP in both states, the party failed to capitalize on it, in part due to infighting within its ranks. In Rajasthan, the chief ministerial battle between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot came to a head, further alienating the party’s supporters and making it difficult to present a united front against the BJP.
This period also witnessed the decline of regional parties, with regional powerhouses such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in Telangana besides the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and Punjab solidifying its position. These parties did fulfil into regional aspirations, offering an alternative to the traditional national parties, including Congress. The erosion of Congress’s support base to these regional players was one of the most significant challenges of 2024.
Congress’s Struggle to Define Its Narrative
Congress struggled to define its narrative, particularly in contrast to the BJP which needs to be change in 2025. The ruling BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, capitalized on nationalism, economic reforms, and a strong pro-Hindu agenda, which resonated deeply with a significant portion of the electorate. Congress, in contrast, was often seen as lacking a clear ideological focus, with its attempts to frame issues around secularism, social justice, and economic equality failing to excite a broad spectrum of voters.
Moreover, Congress’s silence on several key national issues, including the state of the economy, employment, and inflation, compounded its image problem. The party’s leadership was often reactive rather than proactive, waiting for events to unfold rather than setting the political agenda. This lack of a compelling alternative narrative in the face of Modi’s strong leadership left Congress on the back foot.
Despite efforts to present a united front under the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) coalition, Congress struggled to forge a coherent strategy. While the alliance managed to pose a challenge to the BJP in several states, internal friction within the coalition parties often prevented Congress from positioning itself as the central force in the opposition. The failure to unite the diverse opposition forces under a single banner in the 2024 national elections further diminished the party’s prospects.
Economic Woes and Policy Gaps
Economic issues played a significant role in the upheavals for Congress. While the Modi government’s economic policies, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, were seen by BJP as a step toward self-reliance, Congress struggled to offer a viable alternative. The economic slowdown, unemployment crisis, and rising inflation were major issues that affected the common man, but Congress’s responses were often seen as inadequate and lacking the urgency required to address these challenges.
In states like Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, where agrarian distress was at its peak, Congress failed to present an effective economic agenda that could alleviate the plight of farmers. The party’s inability to highlight the flaws in the government’s economic approach and offer concrete solutions alienated its traditional rural base, which had once been its strongest support pillar.
The lack of a clear economic vision and the inability to address critical issues like unemployment and inflation further diminished Congress’s relevance in the eyes of voters, particularly the youth and working-class segments, who were seeking change.
In conclusion, forgetting the previous year of setbacks, Indian National Congress should learn valuable lessons to prepare party for 2025. Whether Congress can mount a successful comeback will depend on its ability to address its internal divisions in INDI Alliance, present a clear and compelling vision, and rebuild its alliances. The party’s fortunes in the coming year will be shaped by its capacity to evolve and adapt to the changing political landscape of India.
(Writer is senior political analyst and strategic affairs columnist)
