Karnataka: Congress Faces Internal Struggles to Strengthen Grassroots

Mangaluru: Despite Congress securing a decisive victory in the 2023 state election with 135 seats and successfully implementing the five guarantee schemes, internal concerns persist about the urgent need to strengthen the party organization, especially with local administration elections due.

Party leaders express concern that the organizational shortcomings could lead to a repeat of the 2018 scenario, where Congress failed to return to power.

While the clear majority and policy achievements had many optimistic about Congress party's future electoral prospects, insiders are now worried. They argue that the party has failed to consolidate its grassroots presence and build a robust organization, crucial for sustaining its political gains.

A senior leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, highlighted the missed opportunity to strengthen the party following Rahul Gandhi's well-received ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra.’

“The yatra generated momentum, but that energy was not carried forward. Organizational strength is what drives success, and it needs to be felt at the booth level,” the leader said.

The leader pointed out that while the BJP relies on multiple organizations, and also Hindutva outfits, to build its base, Congress has similar wings.

“The BJP relies on a network of organizations and Hindutva groups to strengthen its base. Similarly, Congress has various wings like NSUI, Mahila Congress, Youth Congress, and Seva Dal, along with different cells that can target specific groups. But for these units to be effective, the party structure needs to be stronger. We need to assign party-building responsibilities to those who can focus entirely on it. While the government’s initiatives are positive, there must be a system in place to communicate this to the public. We also need a dedicated team to counter the BJP’s missteps. This will enhance the party’s visibility and attract more supporters. A long-term plan is crucial to strengthen the organization and ensure success in the coming elections,” he explained.

Congress leaders remain wary of repeating past mistakes, where the party's failure to effectively communicate its achievements led to its failure to return with a majority in 2018.