INDIA in tatters: Congress not doing enough

SENIOR Congress leader P Chidambaram has drawn the nation’s attention to the comatose INDIA bloc, which has been ceaselessly sinking into oblivion. He is not sure whether this Opposition alliance, which was formed almost two years ago, is still intact. Though he is hoping (against hope) that the bloc can “still be put together”, Chidambaram has heaped praise on the BJP, stating that there has never been any political party so formidably organised. That won’t be music to the Congress’ ears, especially at a time when the Modi government is basking in the success of Operation Sindoor. And the BJP has every reason to be happy about the discord in the rival camp.

The Opposition did hold its own during the parliamentary debate on the Waqf legislation last month, but things have changed dramatically in recent weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Congress and its allies have had no option but to extend support to the government and the armed forces at this critical juncture, lest they be seen as anti-national. The airstrikes on terror sites in Pakistan have bolstered the BJP’s muscular credentials in the run-up to the Bihar Assembly elections. Moreover, with Nitish Kumar no longer on its side, the Opposition appears to be on a weak wicket in that politically important state.

The ruling party has also stolen the Congress’ thunder by announcing that caste enumeration would be part of the upcoming Census. The BJP’s climbdown has vindicated Rahul Gandhi’s stand on the caste count, but it has taken away a major electoral plank from the Opposition. It is obvious that the fortunes of the Congress and INDIA are intertwined. After a good showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Opposition has suffered defeat at the hands of the BJP in Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi, while the wins in Jharkhand and J&K have been the saving grace. It’s up to the Congress to let things drift or try hard to give itself — as well as INDIA — a new lease of life.

Editorials