The Congress party experienced a significant electoral setback as it faced defeat in Haryana and secured only six out of 37 seats in Jammu and Kashmir. The disappointing results prompted allies within the INDIA bloc to criticize Congress and urge it to introspect, asserting that regional parties are the primary challengers to the BJP in these elections.

Congress Must Recognize Winning Opportunities

Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha member from Shiv Sena (UBT), emphasized the need for Congress to recognise the opportunities available for victory. “It is important to note that there was fertile ground to win. They need to introspect why they lose whenever there is a direct contest,” she said. Chaturvedi also mentioned ongoing seat-sharing discussions for Maharashtra, indicating that the new realities in Haryana would influence these negotiations. “What is important is to get the current dispensation out. We have to also look at ground realities,” she added, highlighting the necessity of unity among opposition parties.

Rethinking Leadership In The Alliance

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai expressed that Congress needs to move away from its perception of being the dominant party in the alliance. “The Congress didn’t give us any seats in the Haryana election, with Bhupinder Singh Hooda stating that our party doesn’t have a standing in the state,” Rai pointed out. He referenced similar issues encountered in Madhya Pradesh, where Shivraj Singh Chouhan questioned the relevance of Akhilesh Yadav. “The Congress approaches us for seats in regions where they have no standing but refuses to share seats in states where they are strong,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of mutual respect and collaboration within the alliance.

Regional Parties As Key Players Against BJP

Sagarika Ghose, a TMC Rajya Sabha member, reiterated that regional parties play a crucial role within the INDIA bloc. “The results in the Lok Sabha demonstrate that the INDIA bloc performed well in states where Congress allied with regional parties. It is these regional forces who are effectively challenging the BJP and achieving victories,” she stated. Ghose urged Congress to acknowledge this reality and accommodate its allies more effectively in future elections.

Learning From Haryana’s Defeat

Saravanan Annadurai, a spokesperson for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), stressed that Congress should derive lessons from its defeat in Haryana. “This should help them understand how to handle the Maharashtra elections. The Congress and its allies in Maharashtra should unite to defeat the BJP,” he advised, advocating for a cooperative approach in the future.

The Need For Mutual Trust And Cooperation

D. Raja from the Communist Party of India (CPI) emphasized that the seat-sharing process within the INDIA bloc is inadequate. “The INDIA bloc parties must introspect. The Congress needs to be self-critical regarding seat-sharing. There must be mutual trust,” Raja stated, highlighting the need for a more cohesive strategy among the parties.

RJD’s Perspective On Congress’s Campaign

In a different vein, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) expressed disappointment with Congress’s performance in Haryana. Spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta noted, “The way Rahul Gandhi campaigned and the issues the party presented led us to expect better results. However, we must respect the voters’ decision.” He acknowledged the potential influence of independent candidates on the outcome while emphasizing the importance of introspection moving forward.

Assessing The Political Landscape

Singh remarked on the political dynamics in Haryana, pointing out that Congress had favorable odds to form the government. “Who was going to be the CM in Haryana? Someone from the Congress. Who was going to form the government? Congress. AAP was also urging Congress to reach a settlement with them to collectively defeat the BJP,” he explained. Singh emphasized the need for strategic alliances and collaboration among parties, recalling how the Samajwadi Party offered Congress 17 seats in Uttar Pradesh despite its limited representation.