A few years ago, unrest broke out at the Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU), battle lines were drawn across the political spectrum and political parties had to choose a side. Rahul Gandhi, the President of the INC, decided to visit the JNU campus and stand alongside the sloganeers after the infamous ‘Azaadi’ chants were supposedly raised by students. Some might disagree, but I strongly believe that this turned out to be a pivotal moment in the run-up to the 2019 elections. The Congress, at once, lost the entire nationalistic space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yfvU0e1h10
Much like any other government, the INC (2009-2014) witnessed several high-profile controversies and scams rocking the country. The CWG scam and the Coalgate scam are just a couple of examples. Consequently, the INC lost power in 2014.
To make matters worse, Rahul Gandhi’s support for the JNU students triggered a debate around nationalism. Soon enough, the BJP seized the opportunity and projected the sloganeers as anti-national.
The Congress also promised in its manifesto to omit Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code that defines sedition. Section 124A of the IPC states, whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added. It is the same section under which Kanhaiya Kumar was charge-sheeted back then.
I think Punjab offers a great case study on how to stop the Modi juggernaut. Captain Amarinder Singh is quite vocal about issues pertaining to national security. He wears his patriotism on his sleeves and ended up overpowering the BJP-SAD alliance in 2017.
Political analysts have targeted Rahul Gandhi to pin the entire blame of the 2019 poll debacle on him. In my opinion, Rahul Gandhi might be an incompetent and inefficient political leader, but he is not the only culprit. Within a political party, everybody needs to share the blame. It should be a case of ‘ swimming and sinking together’.
The Congress, in an attempt to save its castle, sought refuge in a fort that had started crumbling. The left wing, mostly because of its ideology and partly due to its ineptitude to propel any substantial development, has been obliterated from the electoral map of our country.
Ironically, the Congress was hoping to stay afloat after boarding a sinking ship. The Congress, for its good, needs to let go of the newly-found bonhomie.