Congress’s commitment to pluralism is vital for maintaining the trust of minorities, marginalized communities, and secular Hindus, ensuring its importance in future elections. Vinta Nanda writes…  

Photography (Kurukshetra, Haryana): Vinta Nanda

As Congress navigates the evolving political landscape in India, its core ideology of pluralism is critical for winning the trust of minorities, marginalized communities, and secular Hindus. Abandoning this foundation under pressure could result in alienating key voter bases, including those disillusioned by Hindutva politics. Congress has to embrace inclusive politics, strengthen the INDIA alliance, and leverage independent media to amplify grassroots voices. By defending secularism and pluralistic values, Congress can effectively counter BJP’s divisive narratives, positioning itself as the party for India’s diverse, progressive future. This strategy is essential for upcoming elections and long-term success in India’s democracy.

Lessons for Congress from Haryana's Election Loss.

The most frequent question asked when a political party loses elections and accuses the Election Commission of India (ECI) of rigging is this: "What happened in other states where the opposition won?" While there may be no metric to definitively prove election manipulation, perception plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. Election rigging is only conceivable when the opposition is confused in its communication. When a party confident of victory has its ear to the ground, resonating with the people's ideology and aligned with their concerns, it is rarely possible for  cheating to happen.

In the recent case of Haryana, the results declared on October 8, 2024, initially suggested a clear Congress win. After ten years of BJP rule, the people were desperate for change. Women, in particular, had felt humiliated by the BJP government at both the state and central levels. Unemployment among young men and women was rampant, and the Agniveer scheme had dashed the hopes of rural youth aspiring to join the armed forces. Skyrocketing prices and a plethora of other issues added to the discontent.

As results started coming in during the early hours, the Congress was leading, poised for victory. But suddenly, around 10 a.m., the tables turned, and in a day filled with accusations of rigging, the BJP emerged victorious. The outcome seemed hard to believe, leaving many wondering: What went wrong?  

Abandoning Pluralism Costs More Than Rigging 

While it’s easy to attribute the loss to rigging, the Congress must introspect deeply. For any opposition party in India, overcoming systemic obstacles—including allegations of bias in the ECI—is a monumental task. However, the bigger question remains: Can the ECI truly manipulate results when the voice of the people is loud and clear? The answer is a firm "No." The people's voice is invincible, and no system can deny it. This is why Congress must recognize that in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and others, it was successful because it had a clear strategy to amplify the people's voice through strong and undivided leadership. 

In Haryana, however, the situation was different. Despite Congress being in command of its cadres, internal discord among state leaders, such as Kumari Selja, allowed the mainstream media to amplify these divisions. This was not the case in previous elections, where internal disputes were contained, and the opposition remained focused on its core ideology.  

The Role of the INDIA Alliance

The success of the INDIA alliance in the 2024 general elections was evident. The country, fed up with a bipolar political landscape, had begun to demand autonomy for states, insisting that local governments should not be mere extensions of the central government. This sentiment worked in favour of Congress as part of the INDIA alliance and threatened the BJP, which stands alone.

However, in Haryana, the Congress was trapped into a bipolar contest with the BJP. Without the active support of its alliance partners, Congress found itself isolated in the battle. The BJP capitalized on this, using its IT cell and mainstream media control to dominate the national narrative. Day after day, news channels highlighted the heinous RG Kar incident while ignoring similar atrocities happening in BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. This strategic move not only downplayed the BJP's failures but also muted the anger of Haryana’s people, particularly over the treatment of their world wrestling champions.

The INDIA alliance could have amplified the Congress's voice and reinforced its message of pluralism, but in Haryana, it failed to step up. Congress, left to fight on its own, lost the trust of secular Hindus and marginalized communities who rely on its pluralistic ideology.   

Hindutva Traps and the Loss of Minority Trust

Congress further faltered by allowing itself to be ensnared in the Hindutva debate. In Himachal Pradesh, a neighbouring state, the party took a stand on encroachments of mosques in Shimla, sparking a national debate. By aligning with Hindutva rhetoric, Congress alienated its Muslim voter base in Haryana, a sizeable community, while also losing the trust of the swing Hindu vote, which had grown disillusioned with Hindutva after ten years of failed BJP governance.

A similar misstep occurred when Congress granted a ticket to Choudhary Lal Singh in Jammu. This move not only cost the party the swing Hindu vote but also undermined its support among the Muslim community - over 7% of the population in Jammu region. The national media amplified this controversy, damaging Congress’s standing in Haryana as well.

By trying to gain the trust of Hindu voters through appeasement of Hindutva sentiments, the Congress quashed the enthusiasm among its ground workers and diluted its pluralistic message. When Baba Ram Rahim was released on parole, it was a massive opportunity to hold BJP to account nationally over its double-speak on women’s issues. But, by then, the Congress, too sure of winning Haryana, made negligible noise. The party must remember that a large section of Hindus in India remains secular and committed to the principles of the Constitution. These voters are not aligned with the Hindutva ideology and look to Congress to uphold pluralism and inclusion. Playing footsie with Hindutva is existential hara-kiri.

Failing to Mitigate the Damage

The ongoing national debate surrounding Siddaramaiah’s land issues in Karnataka became a distraction that the party did little to counter. Voters in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir were closely following this controversy, and Congress failed to address its impact while attempting to convince voters to oust the BJP on claims that it is corrupt.

Moreover, the BJP’s strategic allegations through Chandrababu Naidu about the use of adulterated ghee and other substandard materials in the making of laddus offered as prasadam at Tirumala Tirupati Temple was perfectly timed to reassure its dissatisfied core voter base that their faith was safe only with the BJP. Congress failed to call out this bluff effectively, missing an opportunity to counter the BJP’s narrative. Social and independent media, which Congress had skilfully used during the 2024 general elections to create buzz and bring grassroots voices to the national stage, were underutilized this time.

  

A Lesson for Congress: Stay True to Pluralism

The lessons from Haryana’s loss are clear. The Indian National Congress cannot afford to abandon its core ideology of pluralism, which is not only the foundation of its relationship with minority communities and the marginalised, but also resonates with secular Hindus who believe in the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The BJP’s attempts to trap Congress into Hindutva debates and bipolar contests can only be countered by a firm commitment to inclusion, and strong communication that amplifies the voices of the ground.  

Congress must also better manage its alliances. The success of the INDIA alliance in the 2024 general elections shows that a united opposition can challenge the BJP’s dominance. In Haryana, the absence of alliance support left Congress vulnerable.

Reclaiming the Lost Ground

Congress's strength lies in its ability to represent a diverse and pluralistic India. Abandoning this core ideology not only weakens its support among minorities and marginalized communities but also alienates the large section of Hindus who reject the divisive politics of Hindutva. As the political landscape shifts, the Congress must learn from these missteps, strengthen its alliances, and focus on amplifying the voices of the people to reclaim its position as a party of inclusion and progress.

The road ahead is long, and there are more elections to be fought. The lessons from Haryana will be crucial in ensuring that the Congress remains the voice of all Indians, united in their diversity.