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The recent Delhi elections have delivered a devastating blow to the Indian National Congress party. For the third consecutive time, the party failed to secure a single seat in the Delhi Assembly elections, achieving a dismal vote share of just over 6%. This resounding defeat raises serious questions about the party's future viability in the capital city and highlights a concerning trend of declining support among its core voter base. The high-profile campaign spearheaded by Rahul Gandhi, which focused heavily on criticizing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leader Arvind Kejriwal, ultimately proved ineffective in swaying voters. The campaign, centered around accusations of corruption involving the 'Sheesh Mahal' and a liquor 'scam', along with criticisms of governance, failed to resonate with the electorate.
The lack of success is particularly striking considering the extensive efforts made by the Congress party. The marginal improvement from 4% in 2020 to just over 6% this time offers little cause for celebration. The vast majority of Congress candidates lost their security deposits, underscoring the party's inability to garner significant support. Only three candidates managed to retain their deposits, two of whom had achieved the same feat in the previous election. This limited success further emphasizes the depth of the party's struggles. While the Congress leadership attempts to frame the AAP's victory as an opportunity for future growth, the election results clearly indicate a failure to connect with its traditional support base, including Muslims, Dalits, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The party's campaign strategies seemingly failed to address the concerns of these crucial demographic groups.
The analysis of the election results extends beyond the immediate campaign strategies. Internal party conflicts and a lack of strong organizational structure also played a significant role in the party's poor performance. The repeated changes in the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) chiefs have created instability and hindered the party's ability to build a cohesive and effective organizational base. The departure of heavyweight Arvinder Singh Lovely just before the Lok Sabha polls, highlighting internal divisions and disagreements over the alliance with AAP, exacerbated the situation. Lovely's subsequent victory with the BJP from Gandhi Nagar serves as a stark reminder of the Congress's internal weaknesses. The decision to form an alliance with AAP in the Lok Sabha polls, despite internal resistance, also proved to be a controversial move that might have alienated some voters. The lingering perception of a potential future alliance between the two parties appears to have negatively impacted the Congress's electoral prospects.
Despite the significant setback, the Congress leadership maintains a degree of optimism. The party believes that its aggressive campaign against AAP has clarified its stance, dispelling any lingering confusion about potential future alliances. They hope this will strengthen their position in Punjab and prepare the ground for the upcoming Delhi municipal elections in 2027. However, this optimistic assessment may be overly simplistic, failing to fully acknowledge the profound challenges the Congress faces. Rebuilding a strong organizational base, addressing internal conflicts, and effectively connecting with its core voter base are monumental tasks that require significant effort and strategic change. The party must go beyond simple criticisms of the AAP and present a compelling vision that resonates with the electorate. Without a fundamental shift in approach and a renewed commitment to addressing the concerns of its target demographics, the Congress party's prospects in Delhi and beyond remain uncertain.
Source: Zero seats, 6% votes: Congress draws a blank for 3rd time on trot