Q Chidambaram has been more cautious than many in Congress about the party’s election debacles.
New Delhi:
Bihar’s elections and poll results show that Congress either has no organizational presence on the ground or has weakened considerably, said senior leader P Chidambaram, giving another shot at home truths amid confusion over criticism. Kapil Sibal openings.
Chidambaram, who has been more cautious than many in Congress about the party’s electoral debacles and leadership drift, also told the Dainik Bhaskar newspaper in an interview that the party may have contested more seats in Bihar than it should have.
“I am more concerned about the results of the polls in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. These results show that the party has no organizational presence on the ground or has weakened considerably,” said the former Union minister, in La Congressional setbacks issue despite the coronavirus crisis and economic slowdown give him strong campaign points.
“In Bihar, the RJD-Congress had a chance to win. Why we lost despite being so close to victory is something that needs a comprehensive review. Remember, not long ago the Congress had won Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand “, said. .
Chidambaram said the Bihar results had shown that even smaller parties like CPI-ML and AIMIM can perform if they are organizationally strong at the grassroots level. “The opposition alliance can get as many votes as the BJP-led coalition, but to beat them, we have to strengthen our organization at the grassroots level.”
Considering Congress to be the weakest link in the Mahagathbandhan opposition led by Tejashwi Yadav, the veteran leader admitted: “I feel that Congress contested more seats than its organizational strength. Congress received 25 seats where the BJP or its allies had been. winning for 20 years. Congress should have refused to participate in these seats. The party should have presented only 45 candidates. “
He referred to upcoming polls in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Bengal and Assam. “Let’s see what the results are in these states,” he said.
Chidambaram cautiously responded to a question about the former head of Congress, Rahul Gandhi, calling for a non-Gandhi to lead the party. “I cannot say who will be elected president at the AICC (All India Congressional Committee) meeting. Anyone can challenge the elections,” he said.
Many voices have been emerging from Congress since Kapil Sibal made public his criticism of the party’s performance in Bihar and called for changes, saying the time for introspection is over. Sibal told the Indian Express that the party “must recognize that it is in decline”, adding that “experienced minds, experienced hands and those who understand the political realities are needed.”
The opposition fell within a few seats of victory in Bihar and Congress has been widely accused of delaying its count. The party contested 70 seats and was only able to win 19. Congress also failed to score in crucial by-elections, especially in Madhya Pradesh and UP.
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