Maharashtra Poll Drubbing Prompts 'Course Correction' In Congress, Rahul Asks Kharge To 'Crack The Whip'

Consecutive electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana have triggered calls for introspection and decisive action within the Congress party.

Party leaders have pledged to course-correct under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urging the party chief to "crack the whip."

Photo Credit: PTI

Addressing the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Friday, Kharge issued a stern warning against infighting and anti-party remarks, stating that "tough decisions" were necessary to ensure accountability and identify the party's shortcomings after recent electoral setbacks.

Securing only 16 out of 288 assembly seats, Congress experienced one of its worst electoral results in Maharashtra. Its allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) - performed similarly poorly, winning just 10 and 20 seats, respectively.

The CWC resolution described the Haryana results as "contrary to all expectations," claiming that electoral malpractices had influenced the outcome. Panel members are scheduled to visit both states to analyse the defeats.

"Unless we fight elections unitedly and stop making statements against each other, how will we be able to defeat our opponents politically?" Kharge asked at the CWC meeting.

Gandhi supported Kharge's remarks, urging him to "crack the whip" and emphasising that Congress was an "organisation of resistance," urging party leaders to have faith in it.

Kharge also announced plans for detailed state-wise reviews to address organisational weaknesses and examine the causes of the losses in Maharashtra and Haryana. Internal committees are being formed to visit these states and engage with local leaders.

The CWC resolution expressed deep concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission, alleging that free and fair elections - a cornerstone of democracy - were under threat.

"There is no reason to get disheartened or to panic. We must persevere with renewed determination and resolve. Unity and discipline are called for now more than ever before," the CWC resolution stated. "The party must keep reinforcing its narrative. This includes the caste census to ensure full social justice, removal of the 50 per cent ceiling on reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, control of growing monopolies in the economy through political patronage, and addressing continuing price rises and growing unemployment."

Congress also announced plans for a nationwide movement in collaboration with INDIA bloc parties to address concerns about the electoral process. Jairam Ramesh, the party's general secretary in charge of communications, stated that rallies would soon be organised to mobilise public support.