After facing another humiliating electoral defeat in the 2019 general elections, debate and discussion over this colossal failure of the grand old party are ripe. Congress might have added a few seats to its total of 44 in 2014 to arrive at dismal 52 this general election, however, the margin of victory has been considerably reduced. Stalwart leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ashok Chavan, and even Rahul Gandhi have lost from erstwhile strongholds of the Congress.
Many observers have pointed towards the influence of Left-leaning advisors close to Rahul Gandhi for this electoral blunder. Even Congress’ national media coordinator Rachit Seth in a blog post had shed light on similar issues in the Congress; however, the post is now deleted.
In the blog post, titled “The ‘Deshdrohi’ tag!”, Rachit Seth sought to list out the reasons why the BJP was able to successfully brand the Congress “anti-national”.
Indicating towards the failure of the Congress to effectively manage the post-Pulwama terror attack narrative, Rachit Seth wrote that Rahul Gandhi was advised by the communication department to question the Narendra Modi government’s “inaction” immediately after the 14 February terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel.
“From day one, we had suggested that Congress president should question the massive intelligence failure, the absence of air transportation to slain CRPF personnel, and PM Modi’s ‘Jungle Safari’ in Corbett, even as the attack was on.”
“But people with more powers around Rahul Gandhi, lethargically vetoed this narrative,” Seth wrote.
Rachit Seth, in his article, also questioned the role of Sam Pitroda and details of the Congress Manifesto.
According to Rachit Seth, “Mr Sam Pitroda’s statements later exacerbated the negative perception against us”.
“His opinions on 26/11 and Balakot were completely out of turn and damaged our narrative beyond repair,” he added.
“Which political party writes in its manifesto that they would reduce the Army troops in a border sensitive and strategically important, terror-prone state like Jammu and Kashmir?” Seth wrote.
This seemingly introspective blog by Rachit Seth clearly points out the degeneration that has plagued the Congress party over the past few years and is sure not to go simply away by a blog by the fellow congressman. Induction of various left-leaning advisors in the Congress party has evidently led to Congress’ downfall.
Sandeep Singh, the former Comrade from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, was also part of Rahul Gandhi’s advisory team for the crucial 2019 General Elections. A native of UP, Sandeep Singh was elected as the JNU student union Chief in 2007. Induction of left-leaning advisors like Sandeep Singh into the core advisory was clearly evident by the Congress’ campaign be it Rahul Gandhi’s announcement of NYAY or the manifesto promises to ‘review’ AFSPA. Even serious Congressman raising questions over successful Balakot air strikes also reeks of Left-leaning influence. Though some in the Congress seem to have partly identified the problem it remains to see how Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi reacts to these observations. Left-leaning individuals seem to have amalgamated themselves with the Congress, to a degree where easy removal is not only difficult but might also create difficult situations for the survival of the grand old party.
