Congress Misfires in Maharashtra: A Political Postmortem 

The Congress party’s lackluster performance in Maharashtra’s Assembly elections revealed deep-rooted strategic flaws and organizational challenges. From the outset, the grand old party made critical errors that weakened its alliance, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Misjudgments, a lack of preparation, and ineffective leadership collectively contributed to a defeat that few within the party anticipated.

Poor Language Proficiency, Poor Strategy 

The Congress’s decision to appoint election observers with no proficiency in Marathi—the state’s native language—set the tone for its disconnect from local voters. This glaring oversight reflected the party’s lack of cultural and linguistic sensitivity, a prerequisite in a state as politically dynamic as Maharashtra. These observers misread the political landscape, predicting a hung Assembly, and advised elaborate contingency plans to protect MVA MLAs from potential poaching. Hotels in Bengaluru were booked, and a chartered plane was put on standby to shift legislators if necessary. These preparations ultimately proved redundant, showcasing the party’s misplaced priorities.

Ground Game Gone Awry 

Internal surveys had painted a misleadingly optimistic picture for the MVA. Many predicted the alliance would secure over 140 seats in the 288-member Assembly, leaving Congress leaders confident of their chances. Senior party figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi deployed heavyweights like Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel to Mumbai to handle post-election negotiations. However, the election results underscored the disarray within the Congress and its allies, as they failed to connect with voters on critical issues.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, bolstered by the organizational might of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), launched a highly effective grassroots campaign. Over 50,000 RSS workers reached out to communities, emphasizing the BJP’s commitment to preserving constitutional provisions for caste-based quotas in jobs and education. The campaign resonated with Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, and Marathas, many of whom were persuaded that their interests were best safeguarded by the BJP-Sena combine.

Fragmented Alliance and Ineffective Messaging 

The MVA campaign lacked coherence and unity. In most constituencies, candidates ran hyper-localized campaigns that focused on individual strengths rather than presenting a unified vision for the alliance. This fragmented approach stood in stark contrast to the BJP’s cohesive messaging. Mahayuti leaders used slogans like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “bateinge to kateinge” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “ek hain to safe hain” to rally voters. These narratives played on fears and insecurities, galvanizing the BJP’s base.

Meanwhile, the MVA trio struggled to counter these narratives with impactful messaging. The Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena failed to leverage their collective strengths, and their campaigns appeared disconnected from the ground realities.

 The Role of Smaller Parties 

The MVA’s inability to coordinate effectively with smaller parties like the Samajwadi Party (SP), Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, and AIMIM further fractured the Opposition’s vote share. These parties collectively garnered 17% of the votes, significantly impacting the MVA’s prospects. Reckless statements by fringe leaders from these smaller outfits added fuel to the BJP’s narrative. For instance, inflammatory promises by some Muslim clerics about job quotas and punitive measures for blasphemy were seized upon by the BJP, which used video and audio clips to stoke fears among the majority community.

The BJP-Sena network adeptly turned these statements into a rallying point, portraying themselves as protectors of stability and law and order. In doing so, they secured votes from communities apprehensive about the potential repercussions of such rhetoric.

Leadership Missteps and Strategic Flaws 

Congress’s reliance on poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu highlighted a recurring issue within the party: misplaced trust in external advisors. Kanugolu, who had faced criticism for his performance in Haryana, was given a free hand in Maharashtra. Despite significant resources and autonomy, his strategy failed to deliver.

Kanugolu’s approach—focused on data-driven campaigns and candidate selection—drew scrutiny from local party leaders, who questioned its effectiveness. Yet, the Congress high command allowed him to operate without oversight, reflecting a broader lack of accountability within the party.

Weak Accountability and Organizational Stagnation 

The Maharashtra elections also exposed Congress’s internal dysfunction. Reports from committees analyzing defeats in other states, such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, remain pending months after the elections. The Udaipur Chintan Shivir of 2022, which was supposed to chart a roadmap for revival, has yet to yield concrete outcomes. Recommendations from this high-profile meeting remain locked in laptops, untouched and undiscussed.

A coterie of senior leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal, and Randeep Singh Surjewala, continues to wield disproportionate influence over the party’s decision-making processes. Their grip on the organization has sidelined efforts by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to drive meaningful reforms.

A Tale of Missed Opportunities 

The Congress’s failure in Maharashtra serves as a microcosm of its broader challenges. Despite the BJP’s vulnerabilities, the Opposition lacked a cohesive strategy to capitalize on them. The Mahayuti’s high-pitched campaign, backed by the RSS’s organizational strength, outmaneuvered the MVA at every stage.

The Congress and its allies failed to build a compelling narrative, ceded ground to smaller parties, and struggled with internal divisions. Their inability to counter BJP’s messaging and unify their voter base left them vulnerable to the well-oiled election machinery of the Mahayuti.

Lessons for the Future 

The Maharashtra debacle underscores the need for a structural overhaul within the Congress. The party must prioritize grassroots engagement, invest in local leadership, and build a narrative that resonates with diverse voter groups. Moreover, the Congress needs to foster accountability within its ranks, ensuring that strategic decisions are informed by on-ground realities rather than external advisors with limited local knowledge.

Maharashtra’s elections were a stark reminder of the Congress’s diminishing relevance in India’s changing political landscape. To remain competitive, the party must address its internal weaknesses, learn from its mistakes, and reconnect with the electorate. Without these changes, the Congress risks being overshadowed by regional allies and outmaneuvered by a dominant BJP in the years to come.