Last Updated:
The fight for the chief minister’s chair is believed to be one of the reasons which could have cost MVA the elections, as the cadre was caught up in their fight
The results may keep the INDIA bloc divided and no longer interested in backing Rahul Gandhi on his pet topics in Parliament’s Winter Session. (AFP)
Saturday proved to be a mixed bag for the INDIA bloc. The win in Jharkhand has failed to elevate the mood in the Congress, given the Maharashtra shocker. The results are bound to have a deep impact on the INDIA camp, Maharashtra’s MVA constituents, and, more importantly, on Rahul Gandhi’s track record and ability to win elections.
MAHA IMPACT
Unlike in most other states, Maharashtra Congress has an aggressive and robust organisation which is why the Congress leaders in the state would arm-twist and insist on more seats for the party. Not just that, in anticipation of forming the government, there have been demands from Congress that they should be the ones to sit on the chief minister’s chair. This ended up irking its Maha Vikas Aghadi allies who felt that it was important to remain focussed.
The fight for the CM’s chair is believed to be one of the reasons which could have cost them the elections as the cadre was caught up in their fight. As the post mortem begins, the anger and dismay of the allies may spill on to the Congress.
ALSO READ | Mahila, Kisan, ‘OBC Safe Hain’, Vidarbha Flip & Sharad’s Collapse: 5 Factors Behind Mahayuti’s Maharashtra Win
Many of the points raised by the Congress did not find traction with the voters but, more than this, its allies like Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray had warned the top leaders of the Grand Old Party. For instance, Rahul Gandhi’s attacks on Veer Savarkar ended up hurting the Uddhav Sena and NCP. Gandhi was forced to back off but the damage was done as the BJP used the issue to attack MVA.
Also, Pawar was never comfortable with the idea of constant attacks on Adani and this created differences. The schism could become wider now. Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress have been upset with the Congress for long and these results may create a divide within the INDIA bloc, with many accusing the Congress of being a bad alliance partner.
RAHUL’S LoP WEAKENED?
Post the Lok Sabha results, Gandhi was all fire in Parliament and, in fact, buoyed by the results, he had agreed to become LOP to emerge as an alternative to the Modi factor. The Winter Session has plenty of his favourite topics to take up like Adani, Manipur, and Waqf Board. But will the results keep the INDIA bloc divided who may no longer be interested in backing Rahul Gandhi on his pet topics? Will this mean the sting may be out of his attacks?
ALSO READ | Did ‘Deadweight’ Congress Sink MVA Again? Saturday Shocker Spells ‘Maha’ Trouble
As they say, ‘jo jeeta wahi sikander’. PM Modi and BJP have managed to convey that voters are the loudest voice. This has been proved yet again — at the cost of Rahul Gandhi’s prestige and ability.
