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Congress reduced to a party of small states

The result of the five state Assembly elections significantly reflects that the Congress is now reduced to a party of small states. Having won Puducherry and with existing governments in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Uttarakhand, the Congress now has only seven states left in its kitty.

After the dismal performance in the 16th Lok Sabha elections in 2014, wherein the Congress was dreadfully diminished to 44 seats, the poll results in five major states on Thursday highlighted the Congress’ abysmal performance with an exception to Puducherry. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi constant sloganeering of a ‘Congress-mukta Bharat’ unfortunately for the grand-old party seems to be turning into a reality. With 10 states and Delhi, which have gone to polls since May 2014, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has formed the government in 
six, while the Congress has won in one state. 

The bigger states in the country are all ruled either by the BJP or regional parties, while the Congress retains power only in Karnataka, where the polls are scheduled in 2018. Like other states, here too, the Congress faces the anti-incumbency factor working against it.

A major blow for the Congress has been in Assam, with the BJP (as expected) storming to power riding heavily on the anti-incumbency wave.  Also, with the Narendra Modi-led NDA government’s constant focus on the North-eastern states, the Congress’ stronghold in hill states — Meghalaya, Mizoram and Manipur — might be shaken as well. After the poll results on Thursday, a ray of hope which trickled in for the Congress after Bihar election results of 2015 seems to be vanishing.

Now, the focus for every single major political player, including the Congress, is on the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections, scheduled for the next year. 

Uttar Pradesh is a complex state, while the competition in Punjab with Captain Amrinder Singh heading Congress still seems likely. Each time the election results are announced, the clamour within the Congress – demanding Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to take up an “active role” in politics – is intensified.

And each time it is accompanied by leaders, stressing the need for party vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as the president. 

The question is, even if either of the Gandhi siblings are handed over the reins of the Congress, will they be able to revive the ageing party?

MAJOR DEBACLE

Like other states, here too, Congress faces the anti-incumbency factor working against it

The bigger states in the country are all ruled either by the BJP or other regional parties, while the Congress retains power only in Karnataka, where polls are scheduled in 2018

Now, the focus for every single major political player including the Congress is on the UP and Punjab polls next year
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