Congress party is preparing for a critical contest in five States (Assembly polls), which many see as a semi-final before the 2024 general elections. The outcome of these state elections will not only test the party’s electoral strength but also influence its bargaining capacity within the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) alliance.
The Congress party recognises that the Assembly polls could be a game-changer for the 2024 Lok Sabha contest. To this end, it has hit the ground running in the poll-bound states and is solidifying its strategy. Two key planks of its campaign are poll guarantees and the demand for a caste census.
The Congress’s primary objectives are to retain power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while also aiming to come to power in the other three states going to polls – Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram.
In the Hindi heartland states, particularly Rajasthan, the Congress faces significant challenges. The state has seen a revolving door trend in governance for nearly three decades. Both the Congress and the BJP are grappling with internal infighting, but they have presented a united front in recognition of the tough electoral battle that awaits.
Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh seem to be more favorable grounds for the Congress. In Chhattisgarh, the party hopes to return to power by showcasing its welfare schemes for the poor. In Madhya Pradesh, it aspires to regain the helm after its government was toppled in 2020.
In Telangana, the Congress aims to challenge the dominant K Chandrashekhar Rao government of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), with the BJP making it a three-cornered contest.
In Mizoram, the Mizo National Front currently holds power, and the Congress, with just five seats in the 40-member Assembly, is seeking a resurgence in the northeast with a strong performance.
The Congress’s performance in the Assembly polls will shape its position as an opposition party taking on the BJP in the 2024 general elections.
The party’s focus on poll guarantees and the demand for a caste census indicates its strategy to appeal to a wide range of voters, particularly marginalized communities, say political observers.
The upcoming Assembly polls will undoubtedly set the stage for the high-stakes political drama that will unfold in the years to come, they add.