The Congress’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is over but the journey to fighting for power begins. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aggressive and confident electioneering has cast a shadow over the hopes of the opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) front that it can emerge as an alternative to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
As the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced on Saturday, the battle lines were also drawn. But this also raises the question – is the INDIA bloc ready to take on the Modi factor? Here are some reasons why the going may be tough.
CASTE CENSUS
The Congress under its MP Rahul Gandhi has always pitched itself as a party brimming with ideas to attract the youth. Rahul had made it clear to his party when he joined politics that he would want to see all as one. “We are not like the BJP, we don’t divide nor do we differentiate on the basis of colour, caste and creed,” he said.
So it’s difficult to accept that the same person is now pitching caste as a game changer. And will this help as not many may be convinced that a mere census can give them jobs?
PUTTING BEST FACE FORWARD
The Bharatiya Janata Party has begun its social media campaign already with the PM being the fulcrum. As the posters go up, the other side will have many faces, which may end up confusing the voters as to who is the real face.
As the Congress pushes for Rahul Gandhi as a “messiah”, the other allies who don’t share a warm relationship with the MP would not be happy with this projection. It has every potential to create disquiet, which would embolden the BJP to make the point that this is a “khichdi alliance” that cannot offer stability.
NO DOSTI ON GROUND?
During the “UP ke ladke” phase when the Congress and Samajwadi Party had tied up, the bonhomie between Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi did not percolate to the ground. The confused party workers, who were left wondering how to raise slogans together after they had been doing it against each other left the voters even more confused.
In 2024, the Aam Aadmi Party-Congress, Left-Congress, and SP-Congress tie-ups could be a repeat of that. Will these unlikely alliances ensure a transfer of votes and supporters? Unlikely.
DWINDLING ALLIES AND SEATS
Politics is about perception. While the opposition ridicules the search for allies by the BJP as desperation for a win, in terms of perception, the saffron party looks more attractive than others as one that is able to bring people together.
Also, the BJP was the first to release its candidate list with a whopping 195 names, while others have been slow.
Not just this; while the BJP has unleashed its ministers and stalwarts on the field, the Congress has faced reluctance from its biggies.
YATRA BLUES
Unlike Rahul Gandhi’s first Bharat Jodo Yatra, the second one began on a wrong note.
First, it was hit by the loss of allies like Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United).
Second, many allies felt the timing of the yatra was wrong.
Third, it came at a time when the party cadre should have concentrated on the polls and related work.
Finally, Rahul’s frequent angry outbursts made him look frustrated and not a “decent guy” as most thought him to be.
A long seven-phase election lies ahead. Will the election heat and sweltering summer drain the INDIA front?
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