)
The Congress, it seems, has not yet come to terms with the colossal debacle in the recent Lok Sabha elections even one whole month after its defeat . The government would be rubbing salt into the Congress' wound if it denies the leader of opposition position to its leader in the Lok Sabha. Although the Lok Sabha speaker has to take a call on this, indications are that the Congress would have to contend with public accounts committee chief's post. However, more clarity will emerge when Parliament meets on July 7.
One of the party’s greatest drawbacks, as admitted by its leaders as well as its President Sonia Gandhi, is its inability to communicate. According to a section of senior leaders, the party had failed to take on the government (though it is still in its honeymoon) on key issues, as it doesn't want to be seen as a "vengeful opposition" party. Whether it is the rail fare hike (the rise in fares for suburban trains in Mumbai was subsequently withdrawn due to the stringent opposition from the BJP ally Shiv Sena, not due to Congress protests) or Union minister Nihalchand issue (he has been summoned by court in connection with a rape case), the party failed to put up a good fight. While the Congress’ women's wing led a series of protests demanding justice for the rape victim, it failed to inspire any change in the government.
The party is still spending most its energies in quelling factional feuds within the organisation. The high command has had to step in as Haryana, Assam and Maharashtra chief ministers faced revolt in the party ranks. There were rumours that these CMs would be replaced but Assembly polls in two of these states in near future forced the party for a rethink on leadership change.
Besides, the party is speaking in many voices. Recently senior leader A K Antony said the party's secularism was flawed as it is being perceived as appeasement of minorities. The party tried to justify the statement by saying the remarks were Kerala-specific and nothing to do with the party's national policy.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's reluctance to lead the party at this juncture has hurt the party most. Leaders such as Shashi Tharoor and Veerappa Moily had asked the Gandhi scion to become the leader of the party in the Lok Sabha. But the party chose Mallikarjun Kharge as its leader. But this hasn't gone down well with the rank and file of the party. Nehru-Gandhi loyalist Digvijaya Singh has caused a stir by saying that Rahul “lacks the temperament to rule”.
Apart from sporadic appearances at Amethi and Badaun in Uttar Pradesh, Gandhi was absent from public glare and was away, as usual, for over a week to celebrate his birthday. The party believes it has managed to quell the rising voices against Gandhi’s coterie. Now, the challenge before the party is to effect changes in the organisation after Antony led committee submits its report.
Several former ministers in the United Progressive Alliance, who could not win their seats, have already gone back to their main vocations. Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari and Salman Khurshid, all lawyers, have started their practice.
