As the Maharashtra election approaches, an editorial in the Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece, Saamana, advised Congress to focus on its grassroots efforts, highlighting the BJP’s “strong organization and strategy.
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Allies have provided their assessments regarding the Congress’s disappointing performance in the Haryana Assembly election, and the feedback is far from favorable. The party has faced criticism for its unexpected failure to meet exit poll forecasts. Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of the Shiv Sena, which is set to participate in the upcoming Maharashtra election alongside the Congress and the NCP, has been particularly harsh. An editorial in the party’s publication, Saamana, condemned its ally for not adequately accommodating coalition partners such as the AAP and for failing to manage the “disobedience of local leaders.”
Furthermore, the Saamana editorial expressed regret over the ally’s capacity to “transform a winning situation into a loss.”
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, which earlier this year declined to allocate more than a minimal number of the state’s 42 Lok Sabha seats due to the Congress’ lackluster performance in previous general and state elections, has criticized the “arrogant” leader of the INDIA bloc.
Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale highlighted the Congress’ “attitude” regarding seat-sharing arrangements.
“This mindset results in electoral defeats—’if we believe we are likely to win, we will not make concessions to regional parties, but in regions where we are struggling, regional parties must yield to us…”.
Sena’s Saamana Scolding
The criticism from the Shiv Sena was sharp and pointed. Among various concerns, it highlighted a significant absence of alliances, which had been crucial to the Congress-led coalition’s enhanced performance in the Lok Sabha elections held from April to June.
“There was no INDIA coalition in Haryana… Congress leaders exhibited overconfidence. The inclusion of the Samajwadi Party or AAP could have altered the outcomes,” stated Sanjay Raut, the second-in-command of the Sena and a close associate of party leader Uddhav Thackeray.
Although discussions took place between the Congress, under the influence of Rahul Gandhi, and the AAP, these negotiations ultimately fell through. Sources indicated that state leaders, particularly Mr. Hooda and his loyal lawmakers, were unwilling to cooperate.
Ultimately, the AAP faced a disappointing outcome in Arvind Kejriwal’s home state, garnering less than 1.8 percent of the votes, a figure unlikely to have significantly impacted the Congress’ standing.
“This is a recurring issue with the Congress,” remarked the Saamana, referencing similar situations that undermined potentially successful campaigns in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh the previous year.
“In the last elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, there was a prevailing belief that the BJP would not regain power… however, the internal turmoil within the Congress worked to the BJP’s advantage,” the party’s publication expressed vehemently.
In both states, the Congress’ dependence on veteran leaders—Kamal Nath and Bhupesh Baghel—rather than supporting a younger generation of leaders, proved detrimental, resulting in a victory for the BJP.
Sena Questions Hooda Factor
Saamana has criticized Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a prominent figure in the Congress party from Haryana, suggesting that his unwillingness to collaborate, even with fellow chief ministerial contender Kumari Selja, has led to significant setbacks for the party.
“The issue has been raised… did former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda contribute to the party’s decline in Haryana? Mr. Hooda’s involvement appeared to position him as the orchestrator, determining who would be the candidate. Party members, including Kumari Selja, faced public humiliation, and the Congress was unable to rein him in.”
The rivalry over the Chief Minister position between Mr. Hooda and Ms. Selja, a notable Dalit leader, has been identified as a major factor in the Congress party’s unexpected downturn in Haryana.
Lok Sabha MP Kumari Selja had previously voiced her dissatisfaction regarding the selection of candidates, expressing concerns that many were loyal to Hooda and would prioritize his interests over those of the party.
Ms. Selja has faced criticism for a two-week period of disengagement from campaigning. However, she later reassured NDTV that her dedication to the party should never be questioned.
On a more positive note for the Congress, Sena MP Sanjay Raut, regarded as a close associate of party leader Uddhav Thackeray, indicated that the election outcomes in Haryana might not adversely affect relationships in Maharashtra. Nonetheless, Mr. Raut cautioned his allies to “learn from the results in Haryana.”
“No one should assume a position of superiority over others,” he remarked, a statement interpreted as a reminder to Congress’s smaller coalition partners.
As the Maharashtra elections approach, the Sena editorial urged the Congress to focus on grassroots engagement, highlighting the BJP’s robust organizational structure and strategic approach.
“The citizens of Maharashtra will not replicate the situation in Haryana… and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (the coalition of the Thackeray Sena, the Congress, and the NCP) is poised for victory.”
“Marathi public opinion is against (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and (Home Minister Amit) Shah and Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde. Our alliance will win in Maharashtra… but Congress leaders in the state have a lot to learn from Haryana.”
