When the Congress lead UPA faced a second consecutive and a comprehensive defeat, despite the BJP lead NDAs lackluster performance on all grounds in their first term, the writing was on the wall. When Rahul Gandhi, rightfully stepped down as the Congress president it further lead to an identity crisis in the absence of an accepted leader. A party since Indira’s time has been ruled by a Gandhi not just as the party president but also the leader of the working committee and as the prime minister of the nation. However the party in its formation under Allen Octavian Hume was not a dynastic party it was a party for Indians, started out as a forum for active political debate amongst intellectuals. In a wave of populism taking over the world, the political elites are running for cover. Almost like the ground has shifted beneath their feet. It’s the rise of the chaiwalla against the barristers. “Chai pe charcha” replaces the debater’s societies. So where does the Congress go from here. Every time one faces a crisis, especially an identity crisis like the one Congress does, I say go back to your roots.
Congress has to go back to their four founding pillars:
Civil rights
- Enforce freedom of speech and press
- Enforce the right to practice one’s faith
- Eliminate discrimination
Administrative
- Remove administrative abuse
- Run public welfare measures
- Fair representation in civil services
- Eliminate discriminatory laws
Constitutional
- Increase effectiveness of legislature
- Maintain a fair and functioning judiciary
- Ensure fair access to legal recourse to all citizens
- Reform the constitution to remove bias
Economic
- Eliminate poverty through economic opportunities
- Modernize industries
- Reform oppressive tax laws
The four original pillars are a good starting point to restore its identity. As the world introspects democracy vs. demagoguery, nationalism vs. pluralism, the role of the press vs. social media and the struggles to keep pace with fast evolving technologies, a look back into history might be a good place to start.
AVALUECREATOR 