Headless Chicken: Massive infighting grips Congress party as the Gandhis flee the scene

Infighting seems to have taken grip of the grand old party as leaders of the Congress from Rajasthan and Maharashtra to Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are locking horns with each other over a plethora of issues. While this fallout takes place among Congress leaders, the Gandhis, who are the supreme authorities in the functioning of the party are nowhere to be seen.

In the state of Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister, Kamal Nath and party leader, Jyotiraditya Scindia have launched a series of verbal attacks at each other publicly. Madhya Pradesh Congress unit has been in a state of serious crisis ever since Scindia threatened to hit the streets if the Congress government in the state doesn’t fulfil its promises.  

Scindia’s remarks have certainly not gone down well with Chief Minister, Kamal Nath. When asked about Scindia’s threats to hit the streets, Kamal Nath had a short, terse remark to make, he said, “Toh utar jayein (Let him hit the streets if he wants to).” The remark manifested a strong sense of acrimony that the two leaders seem to share. 

Meanwhile, the crisis has aggravated further even as Madhya Pradesh Minister, Govind Singh has hit out at Scindia, saying, “Whosoever wants to take to streets, can do it. State govt has committed to fulfill its promises in 5 years and not in 1 year.”

The crisis of the Congress is essentially a crisis of leadership. This is also the reason why the Congress seems like a divided lot not just in Madhya Pradesh, but also the rest of India. 

Even in the state of Rajasthan, there is an intense tussle between the Old Guard (Ashok Gehlot) and the young dynast (Sachin Pilot), just like the ongoing Kamal Nath vs Jyotiraditya Scindia tussle in Madhya Pradesh, which had led to Pilot taking a dig at his own government led by Gehlot following the Kota tragedy. 

Following Congress’ disastrous showing in Delhi Assembly polls, Maharashtra Congress leader, Milind Deora tweeted about Kejriwal government’s “fiscal prudence” and got called out by Congress leader Ajay Maken.

In a tweet which instantly gives the illusion as if Deora himself is an AAP leader, he said, “Sharing a lesser-known & welcome fact — the @ArvindKejriwal -led Delhi Government doubled its revenues to ₹60,000 crore & maintained a revenue surplus over the last 5 years. Food for thought: Delhi is now one of India’s most fiscally prudent governments.” 

However, this didn’t go down with Delhi Congress leader, Ajay Maken, who bluntly replied, “Brother, you want to leave @INCIndia -Please do-Then propagate half baked facts! 

However, let me share even lesser know facts- 

1997-98-BE (Revenue) 4,073cr 

2013-14-BE (Revenue) 37,459cr 

During Congress, Govt Grew at 14.87% CAGR 

2015-16 BE 41,129 

2019-20 BE 60,000 AAP Gov 9.90% CAGR.”

Milind Deora too has retorted bitterly, saying, “Brother, I would never undermine Sheila Dikshit’s stellar performance as Delhi CM. That’s your speciality. But it’s never too late to change! Instead of advocating an alliance with AAP, if only you had highlighted Sheila ji’s achievements, @INCIndia would’ve been in power today.” 

In fact, internal dissensions within the Congress keep coming out following its Delhi debacle. Former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader, P Chidambaram took to Twitter celebrating AAP’s Delhi victory, even though his own party had drawn a blank yet again in the National Capital. 

Sharmistha Mukherjee, Delhi Mahila Congress chief, almost trolled Chidambaram for his bizarre tweet. She said, “With due respect, sir, just want to know- has @INCIndia outsourced the task of defeating BJP to state parties? If not, then why r we gloating over AAP victory rather than being concerned abt our drubbing? And if ‘yes’, then we (PCCs) might as well close shop!” 

Another Congress leader, Jaiveer Shergill seems to have taken a subtle jibe at party leaders celebrating AAP victory in Delhi. He tweeted, “3 Things Congress should NOT do today: 1

. Justify own defeat 

2. Find happiness in BJP defeat 

3. Tell themselves that in Election wins & losses are cyclic 

Congratulations to @AamAadmiParty for a well-deserved victory & running a focussed campaign.” 

Another Congress leader, PC Chacko’s statement on the party’s Delhi defeat has triggered further divisions within the Congress. He said, “The downfall of the Congress party started in 2013 when Sheila Ji was the CM. The emergence of a new party AAP took away the entire Congress vote bank. We could never get it back. It still remains with AAP.” 

Deora hit back saying, “Sheila Dikshit Ji was a remarkable politician & administrator. During her tenure as Chief Minister, Delhi was transformed & Congress was stronger than ever. 

Unfortunate to see her being blamed after her death. She dedicated her life to @INCIndia & the people of Delhi.” 

It shouldn’t take much intellect and political acumen to understand that all is not well within the Congress. In fact, the party seems on the brink of inevitable collapse and Balkanisation, with its state units in disarray and leaders from across the country launching verbal attacks at each other over every possible issue. 

Meanwhile, the party leadership is nowhere to be seen. One wonders if Rahul Gandhi, the dynast that the party was relying upon for a dramatic survival, is possibly preparing for yet another sabbatical leaving his party in total disarray. 

The Gandhi family at the helm of affairs couldn’t care less for the party. At a time when its top leaders- both at the Central and regional levels are busy locking horns with each other, the leadership is said to be mulling sending Priyanka Gandhi to the Rajya Sabha. 

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the undisputed rulers of the Congress are acting like the Mughal dynast Bahadur Shah Zafar with no real will of taking the party forward. Their only concern is to serve their own family interests. The party which is riddled with infighting seems to have taken a backseat for them. 

The leadership crisis in the Congress has therefore paved the way for intense infighting within the grand old party that often leads to the party leaders scoring self-goals, making nasty comments against each other publicly. The party seems headed for an inevitable collapse.