Chandigarh: The Congress party faced a significant setback in the Haryana Assembly elections, despite its hopes for a major comeback after a decade. Exit polls had hinted at a revival for the party, but the actual results contradicted these predictions and pushed Congress out of the race for power.
The analysis of Congress’s defeat points to internal strife, a lackluster campaign, and controversial statements that undermined its electoral prospects. While the BJP was busy preparing for the elections well in advance, mobilizing workers to fulfill their responsibilities, Congress leaders remained entangled in ticket distribution disputes in Delhi. This delay in campaign mobilization rendered their electoral efforts ineffective, as the BJP was already in full election mode.
The party’s decision to give former Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda a free hand further exacerbated discontent within Congress. Senior leaders like Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala expressed disagreement with this approach, limiting their involvement in the campaign. The ongoing factionalism within the party became a visible obstacle to unity and electoral performance.
Factional rivalries played a pivotal role in Congress’s defeat. The long-standing tensions between Hooda and Selja persisted during the campaign, and a controversial remark by a Hooda supporter alienated Selja, who subsequently distanced herself from the electoral efforts. Attempts by Rahul Gandhi to unify the leaders did not bridge the existing divides by election day.
Moreover, contentious statements from Congress candidates proved detrimental. For instance, a comment by candidate Shamsher Gogi about prioritizing personal gains if Congress won was weaponized by the BJP, associating it with corruption and launching a scathing attack. Congress struggled to contain the fallout from this statement.
On key issues, Congress failed to capitalize effectively. The BJP accused Congress of ‘purchasing’ positions, positioning itself as a proponent of merit-based systems, while Congress was unable to provide a coherent counter. The party also lacked a robust strategy on pressing concerns like those of farmers, wrestlers, and youth, leading to a negative public perception, which the BJP exploited to its advantage.
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