Internal strife mars Congress as 2024 Lok Sabha Elections loom

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the 2024 general elections, the Congress party is finding itself grappling with internal discord, particularly in Uttar Pradesh. Attempts to control the situation on the ground are met with challenges, with reports suggesting dissatisfaction among the top leadership towards the state unit.

A significant development unfolded as the President of Uttar Pradesh Congress, Ajay Rai, along with other senior leaders, met with the Congress high command in the national capital. The meeting, attended by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, aimed at addressing the growing concerns within the state unit.

Sources privy to the matter revealed that Rahul Gandhi expressed his discontent with the current state leadership in Uttar Pradesh. He reportedly said the state leadership appears overly reliant on directives from Delhi, attributing the party's stagnation in Uttar Pradesh to this dynamic.

Drawing a comparison with Telangana, Rahul Gandhi highlighted that while they had four willing leaders for the chief minister's position in Telangana, Uttar Pradesh lacked even three aspirants for the role. He attributed the party's success in Telangana to a more robust leadership structure.

In response, the state leadership defended itself, asserting that every party worker desires active involvement from the Gandhi family in Uttar Pradesh. However, concerns linger about the extent of the Gandhi family's engagement in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Leaders from the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh emphasized on the significance of forging strong alliances, especially with the Samajwadi Party. They acknowledged the growing expectations among the Muslim community and stressed on the need for strategic candidate selection on key seats.

During the meeting at AICC, the UP state Congress leadership appealed to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, urging them to be as active as they were in the past. Sources also revealed that some leaders requested the Gandhi siblings' participation in the ongoing "UP Jodo Yatra," which commenced on December 20.

As the internal tussle unfolds, the Congress party faces a critical juncture in Uttar Pradesh, where its performance will significantly impact the larger political landscape in the upcoming general elections.

While talking to Republic, Fakhrul Hasan Chand from the SP said: “Rahul Gandhi has spoken the truth. He is discussing the position of three prominent leaders. In the Lok Sabha elections, if we talk about 10 such candidates, we won't find leaders who can win their assembly seats. It is the ground reality of Congress”.

BJP's Rakesh Tripathi, on the other hand, said: “the Congress in UP has been displaying a directionless trend since its establishment. Currently, Sonia Gandhi is the only Congress Member of Parliament in the state. Despite Rahul Gandhi losing in Amethi, he has shown no inclination towards Uttar Pradesh”.

"Although Priyanka Vadra was appointed as the in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Congress with much enthusiasm amid the slogan "Ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon" (I am a girl, I can fight), numerous attempts were made to revive the party's charm, but in vain. The truth is that in such a situation, the Congress seems unable to take a step forward in Uttar Pradesh without significant changes. In the given circumstances, only a divine intervention can save the Congress", Tripathi added.