The results of the Haryana Assembly elections have prompted allies of the Congress in the INDIA bloc alliance to call for a reevaluation of the party’s poll strategy. The Congress, which was expected to capitalize on anti-incumbency against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured just 37 seats, while the BJP made a surprising comeback to win 48 of the 90 seats. This unexpected outcome has raised concerns within the opposition bloc as crucial elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi loom.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an INDIA Bloc alliance member, was quick to criticize the Congress’s overconfidence. AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, remarked that the Congress’s failure to convert public sentiment against the BJP into votes was a significant reason for the loss. Sisodia emphasized that the people of Haryana were eager to oust the BJP, but Congress’s election strategy fell short of achieving this goal. Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, cautioned his own party against similar overconfidence ahead of Delhi elections.
Shiv Sena-UBT, led by Uddhav Thackeray, also joined the chorus, with its leader Priyanka Chaturvedi asserting that while the Haryana results wouldn’t directly affect Maharashtra’s upcoming elections, Congress needed to recalibrate its strategy. This critique comes at a time when seat-sharing discussions between Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT, and NCP-SP for the Maharashtra elections are underway. Thackeray has also urged the Congress to declare a chief ministerial candidate in Maharashtra to provide clarity to voters ahead of the polls.
Similarly, CPI general secretary D Raja urged the Congress to conduct “serious introspection” following the Haryana results. He stressed that Congress must reassess its strategies and work more cohesively with other INDIA bloc members to ensure success in the upcoming elections.
Internally, Congress has defended its stance, with party leader Jairam Ramesh advising caution and reminding allies of the importance of maintaining “coalition dharma.” Ramesh pointed out that the Congress performed strongly in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, implying that the party’s leadership should be recognized in the ongoing seat-sharing negotiations.
As the INDIA alliance moves forward, this internal feedback reflects a desire to build a more unified and effective opposition to the BJP in the upcoming state and national elections. The Haryana setback has been a wake-up call for the Congress, and how it adjusts its approach could determine its future electoral success across India.
