While a battery of BJP leaders and academics had taken upon them the task to spread the messages of Narendra Modi and elucidate the government programmes, the Congress stalwarts were not visible explaining the intricacies of the programme NYAY to the common people to whom it was supposed to serve. It cannot be denied most of voters did not know anything about the NYAY and the political philosophy it stood for.

This lack of allegiance to the party and absence of passion for a win was an open secret. Even Rahul had noticed it and at the CWC meet he lambasted such leaders alleging that they were more interested in getting for their sons. Rahul was right but the leaders alone cannot be blamed for this. This culture has been the dominant feature of the functioning of the party. The leaders had come accept that Congress was the only ruling party and no party can replace. True enough succumbed to this culture once nominated the sons of Kamal Nath and Subramaniam. Since he himself gave the tickets to these people he has in the changed situation no right to object.

Rahul has not been strict enough. Instead of setting his own footprint he preferred to follow the traditional path. After winning the MP and Rajasthan assembly elections in all fairness he should have installed young leaders as the chief ministers. But he settled for the old hands which incidentally proved to be unproductive. The chief ministers of these two states were more concerned of their personal well being than party’s. Rahul could not attract the trust of the common people. A new blood would have changed the political perspective and mind of the people. Voters in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, who voted for the Congress in assembly elections less than six months ago, rejected the party’s bid for power at the Centre this time. Rahul ought to do some introspection.

Unfortunately he failed to break the nest of the vested interest. Congress lost Karnataka for the same reason. He has a bunch of young leaders but they instead of the vanguard and public face of the party have been functioning as the backroom strategists.

The task to expose the corruptions that were taking place in Modi Raj was not broad based. It was left to Rahul to spearhead the fight. At a time when the entire media was singing the eulogy of Modi only a miniscule group of leaders ventured to highlight the Rafale scam. Unfortunately most of the Congress leaders were least bothered to make it an electoral issue and make aware the voters of the corruption and alleged involvement on Modi in the scam. Rahul’s consistent harping on the issue could not make a significant dent in the minds of the people. Rahul could not break the Chakravyuh of BJP. He was surrounded by entire senior BJP leaders.

It is not that Congress was unaware of the fact that the BJP would make a big issue of involvement of Congress and its leaders in financial swindles, but perilously it did not evolve a strategy to counter the BJP attack. IN absence of a defined strategy Rahul’s emphasis on Rafale scam made the people take it flippantly. They did not take it seriously. The situation was simply diluted after Rahul apologized to the Supreme Court and subsequent order of the apex Court

One thing is absolutely clear that the BJP leadership managed to neutralize Rahul’s charges against Modi even before it could make any significant impact. Through his theatrics while Modi made the people convince and accept what he said against Congress, the Congress leadership was found to fumble. It is an irony that the rural poor and dalits, even a section of Muslims did not know much about his slogans and programmes. The populist freebies of Modi made them believe that he is the person who cares for the poor, though the fact has been just opposite.

Though Sam Pitroda is attributed to be the brain behind working out of the strategy, the narratives simply disprove the efficacy. The worst tormentor to the party’s cause has been the mahagathbandhan of the opposition parties. A look at the pan Indian exercise would reveal that baring southern states, it has proved to be a momentous failure in eastern India. The regional satraps played havoc with the Congress. Rahul Gandhi, being the leader of the biggest party, should have taken the initiative to bring regional parties together. He may say that he sacrificed in Bihar, but it is not visible on the surface. He in fact was coerced to accept the dictates of RJD leader Tejashvi.

Even after so many errors and failures Rahul must be complemented for putting some about of check on the BJP. No doubt he has salvaged the situation of some extent. Verdict 2019 certainly cannot be treated as out an out as a no confidence against Rshul. In the face of so many challenges the party has barely managed to improve its tally from its all-time low of 44 seats and 19 per cent vote share in 2014 to 52 seats this time with vote share also indicating some increase.(IPA Service)