NEW DELHI: Congress’s abysmal show threatens to again trap the party in the rut that it has been trying to climb out of since 2014 – an endless cycle of recriminations, dissent and defections, and whispered demands for change of personnel and strategy.Coming against the backdrop of shocking losses in Haryana and Maharashtra, this setback will only harden the belief among party functionaries that the future remains bleak, a concern that had triggered an exodus of popular faces between 2014 and 2023. There is now a serious worry the defeat will revive public airing of grievances from restive souls within, a strong possibility given that many have been upset with the party’s focus in recent months. A couple of popular faces are even said to be waiting for their opportunity. An ominous warning came from an unlikely corner. Mumtaz Patel, daughter of the late Ahmed Patel, posted on X: “It’s time to look within and accept reality. Till when will countless loyal ground workers who have stayed with the party through thick and thin wait to see success… it’s failure after failure due to power concentrated in the hands of a few who are totally disconnected with ground reality… these same people will be rewarded again and again because they have made themselves indispensable with their control and power.”MP Shashi Tharoor minced no words either: “I have been talking to people…our party leaders must do some very serious analysis of where things went wrong … how our organisation functions.” Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh said “elections are about intensive public contact at booth level” while Karnataka state chief and deputy CM DK Shivakumar advocated the need to work out a new strategy. After the high of the 2024 Lok Sabha contest where it emerged with its dignity intact despite an uphill battle, Congress has been on an uninterrupted decline, losing Haryana and Maharashtra, states it was expected to win, and finishing with a pathetic tally in J&K. Bihar is yet more proof that Congress has lost its way electorally. In a typical paradox that plagues Congress, the party was a fringe player in Bihar, but its national appeal as embodiment of anti-BJP politics provided the base from which local powerhouse RJD was to fire. But even as a side player, it could not fulfil its promise of being a strong supporting ally (like it did in Jharkhand last year). This time, its tally was in single digits, even lower than the 19 seats it won out of the 71 contested in 2020. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Bihar’s New MY Formula Is Mahila & Youth’: PM Modi Targets RJD-Congress After NDA’s Landslide Win‘Too Big To Fail’: South African Envoy On Trump’s G20 Boycott, Says PM Modi’s Presence Crucial‘Misa-Priyanka Ko Dickey Mein…’: Yashwant Deshmukh’s Message to RJD–Cong After NDA’s Bihar WinAir India Bombing Returns To Spotlight, CSIS Warns Canada Of New Extremist Networks And Rising RisksSix Ways Nitish Kumar Proved ‘Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai’ As NDA Registers Big Win in Bihar Assembly Polls‘Full Stop to Many Questions’ Chirag Paswan Hails PM Modi, Nitish as NDA Soars Past 200 SeatsKerala Teenager Dies in Dubai After Rooftop Fall While Trying To Take Photos of Low-Flying PlanesPakistan’s Costly Lobbying Blitz Won Access To Trump As India Faced The Harshest Tariffs, Claims NYTChilling Terror Attack Masterplan: How Medical Professionals Built A 5-Step Nationwide Bombing PlotBihar Assembly Poll Results: NDA Touches 200-Seat Lead, Congress Intensifies SIR, Vote Chori Attacks123PhotostoriesTyping too long? 3 exercises for stiff and painful handsShah Rukh Khan closes the year powerful and proudEgg white versus egg yolk: Which one is healthier for breakfast7 dhaba-style dal preparations to try at home5 unique attractions in America that will make you say “I can’t believe this is real”!From BF Karan Kundrra wanting to marry her right after Bigg Boss to her near-fatal injury on Khatron Ke Khiladi: Tejasswi Prakash talks about life, career and loveSlow down aging naturally: 6 scientifically proven foods that workTop 5 platinum producing countries that generate over 90% of the world’s total platinum5 foods to combine with leftover rice for better nutritionMeet the eagles with the biggest wingspans on Earth123Hot PicksAlinagar Election ResultRaghopur Election ResultBihar Election Result 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingLaMelo BallGiannis AntetokounmpoJoel EmbiidAidan HutchinsonNHL Trade RumorLatin GrammyDak PrescottBrazilian Bodybuilder Found DeadPercy HarvinStephen Curry
NEW DELHI: Congress’s abysmal show threatens to again trap the party in the rut that it has been trying to climb out of since 2014 – an endless cycle of recriminations, dissent and defections, and whispered demands for change of personnel and strategy.Coming against the backdrop of shocking losses in Haryana and Maharashtra, this setback will only harden the belief among party functionaries that the future remains bleak, a concern that had triggered an exodus of popular faces between 2014 and 2023. There is now a serious worry the defeat will revive public airing of grievances from restive souls within, a strong possibility given that many have been upset with the party’s focus in recent months. A couple of popular faces are even said to be waiting for their opportunity. An ominous warning came from an unlikely corner. Mumtaz Patel, daughter of the late Ahmed Patel, posted on X: “It’s time to look within and accept reality. Till when will countless loyal ground workers who have stayed with the party through thick and thin wait to see success… it’s failure after failure due to power concentrated in the hands of a few who are totally disconnected with ground reality… these same people will be rewarded again and again because they have made themselves indispensable with their control and power.“MP Shashi Tharoor minced no words either: “I have been talking to people…our party leaders must do some very serious analysis of where things went wrong … how our organisation functions.” Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh said “elections are about intensive public contact at booth level” while Karnataka state chief and deputy CM DK Shivakumar advocated the need to work out a new strategy. After the high of the 2024 Lok Sabha contest where it emerged with its dignity intact despite an uphill battle, Congress has been on an uninterrupted decline, losing Haryana and Maharashtra, states it was expected to win, and finishing with a pathetic tally in J&K. Bihar is yet more proof that Congress has lost its way electorally. In a typical paradox that plagues Congress, the party was a fringe player in Bihar, but its national appeal as embodiment of anti-BJP politics provided the base from which local powerhouse RJD was to fire. But even as a side player, it could not fulfil its promise of being a strong supporting ally (like it did in Jharkhand last year). This time, its tally was in single digits, even lower than the 19 seats it won out of the 71 contested in 2020.
