Support from Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar is what the Congress party should make the most of as it gears up for 2024
For many dabbling in the Indian political terrain, the Indian National Congress is now a spent force. Many a party believe that the Congress party has accelerated its journey towards oblivion. This at a time when the party itself is trying to regain its old glory by way of fresh organisational polls and Rahul Gandhi’s much publicised Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The party is trying to do all that could help it regain the days of past glory, But, there are many who don’t think such a thing will happen. However, among the many detractors, the party seems to have found a voice it would want to hail, and that has come from RJD leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. According to Yadav, the Congress is still the largest party in the Opposition, and he added that the others need to think practically on the relevance of the party.
Tejashwi Yadav has hopes for a Congress revival
That also means that Tejashwi Yadav wants to lend his support toward the revival of the grand old party that has seen setbacks one after the other over the past few years. Apart from Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad also nurse the same sentiment, it needs to be believed. The leaders are expected to meet with Congress president Sonia Gandhi soon after she come back to India from abroad. This meeting, it would have to be believed, would pave the way for a solid groundwork towards building a stronger Opposition.
And, this mightier Opposition would work on the hopes of taking on the BJP in time for the general elections of year 2024. Going by Tejashwi Yadav, as has been quoted in an interview with The Indian Express, the Opposition leaders should focus on defeating the BJP. Yadav was of the opinion that Nitish Kumar has made a great start towards this goal, and once the meeting with Sonia Gandhi happens, the road ahead will be clear.
With Nitish back in the Opposition line up after having severed ties with the BJP last month, the Opposition goals are yet again looking achievable. As per Yadav’s beliefs, the dialogue has finally begun on the next Lok Sabha polls. This, he added, wasn’t the case before the Bihar developments unfolded,
So with more strength in the offing, the Congress will now have to get its act together. Sadly, not much effort seems to have been initiated from the party’s side over the past months, even when there were chances of doing so.
Congress needs to welcome Lalu, Nitish sentiment
The internal squabble and leaders jumping ship had brought more weakness into the Congress fold. The unity efforts seem to have cropped up more seriously only a few day ago with Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra making significant progress.
It needs to be acknowledged that though Rahul Gandhi and the Bharat Jodo Yatra have only travelled a small distance as yet, it is is already creating much waves in terms of the Indian National Congress’ popularity. It remains to be seen whether the momentum stays high when the yatra reaches the northen parts of the country in a few days. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the Bharat Jodo Yatra seems to have hit the right chord with supporters and the impartial voters alike.
It now remains with the party to decide on whether it should build a unified Opposition and take on the BJP juggernaut. The Lalu-Nitish support would make things easier. The Congress head honchos should decide wisely, though.
