The core base

We can talk euphorically and ecstatically about the great wins of our leaders in a first-past-the-post electoral system. It may not be true that one scoring 31% vote is very popular while the opponent with 5% or 10% less is not so. Innumerable factors come into play, not popularity.

Modi was not a popular mass leader in 2014 and 2019 as some wish to believe it to be. The power brokers and breakers within Congress and the innumerable power centres within the opposition have divided votes. That ensured their defeat to gift victory to BJP.

BJP increased their voter base thanks to the credibility given by liberals and anti-Congress opposition. Here one has to distinguish between the cadre base with Ideological links and the floating voters fooled by the lies, promises, dramatic and event management skills of Modi.

The floating voters also included a high percentage of those voting for BJP due to the TINA factor. The opposition parties were still divided in 2019 with Congress leaders not fully backing Rahul. Further, Modi by then found an alternative with misuse of power, men and machines.

The cadre base of BJP with committed voters is still apparently lower than 15% if one takes away the new entrants from other parties pulled in using all tricks and threats. The true worth will come out once they start losing hold on to power. The signs are already visible. 

The core voters and supporters of Congress remain at 20% despite the inaction of its leaders, perpetuating organisational weaknesses and poor poll management. Congress has earned this support due to its work, credibility and trustworthiness over several decades since independence.

It is so despite several splits. Many of its leaders took away Congress cadre base. Many others backstabbed while remaining within. Congress certainly does not deserve this, as it has not done any harm to these leaders but hurt itself by promoting them within.

No Compromise

The groups that parted from Congress are hurting even more now by dividing votes, forming a party or joining others. They, along with other parties, make deals, compromises with all, including BJP. Still, Congress is to form alliances with such parties and groups to fight BJP.

Most of these opposition parties are not even democratic. Panchayat elections in UP and Bengal under SP, Mamata regimes are typical examples. Some of them are as ruthless as the BJP. Their opportunism paves the way for BJP to adopt it in UP now more brutally and savagely.

It gives rise to a tricky situation where Congress is supposed to go soft on opposition parties when they indulge in vulgar misuse of power. This arrogance and authoritarian approach is also the success formula followed by Modi. We have new entrants like KCR, Jagan in this group.

Diluting values will not save Democracy from Modi or some of these regional leaders of the opposition. Congress should register its objection with intensity and force for all such anti-democratic actions, irrespective of the parties involved. It is needed now.

If such criticism of opposition parties hurts an opposition unity or alliance, there is no need for Congress to worry about it. Upholding truth and saving democracy is more valuable for Congress and the people. It will be better for the credibility of Rahul and Congress.

Congress should not compromise principles, policies, values for the sake of power. It should devise strategies and act boldly to bring out truth before the people and save democracy. It has a solid foundation to build on and strengthen Congress at every level and state.

Rebuild Congress

Congress failed due to its mismanagement of the organisation. Being democratic and liberal does not mean that they are to suffer flagrant violations of rules and disciplines. Democracy cannot survive if rules are not observed. That is true for the country as well as for the party.

Can we think of our country or democracy succeeding without the enforcement of law and the legal system? Congress should enforce discipline. It needs dispute resolution mechanisms for the party. The personal relationship often comes in the way, hurting the party and its progress.

Some administrative lapses in governance also affect the party. The failure to expose Modi in the Gujarat riots and ensure speedy trial and delivery of justice is one of the prime factors behind the present problems. Further, Congress made a similar error in bringing UAPA. 

They should have had the foresight to visualise that the barbarian and unlawful regimes may gain roots and flourish in states and the centre. Now rulers are using UAPA to stifle dissent. It may be a failure in decision making, not deliberate, but it turned out to be grave.

These kinds of errors in judgement raise questions about the decision-making process of Congress governments and also the party. They perhaps tend to be more liberal with the delegation of powers without closer monitoring and control. Care has to be taken as experts also fail.

Flagging issues in governance are more effortless as it has a support system to identify problems and evolving solutions. But they neglect the party when they govern. When they are not in power, problems get multifold. It need not be zero tolerance but should not be zero action.

Congress even failed to utilise its strengths. Congress grew on the sacrifice of countless principled, charismatic leaders. Gandhi family still retains that trust and brand name. Their love and dedication for the people and their welfare remain underutilised by Congress leaders.

The Gandhi family only has that charisma and not others. Congress always secured more than 40% of the vote share under their leadership except in 1977. It ended with Rajiv. Modi, BJP, RSS fear that the charisma of Gandhis can pose a mammoth challenge if Congress stands behind them.

Surprisingly some leaders in Congress see Rahul as a threat to their political existence. They are selfish to the core. Congress should ignore them if they do not change. They should rely on cadres, supporters, people to spread the truth and strengthen Congress and Democracy.