New Delhi [India]: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has acknowledged the party’s underperformance in recent state elections and emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the organization. Speaking at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi, Kharge reflected on the party’s challenges and outlined a path for revival.
Key Highlights from Kharge’s Statement
- Organizational Challenges:
Kharge stated, “In many states, our organization is not up to expectations. Our biggest need is to strengthen the organization.” - Election Analysis:
While celebrating the Congress party’s resurgence in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Kharge admitted that the results in recent state elections were “below expectations,” posing significant challenges for the party’s future. - Election Results in Focus:
- In Maharashtra, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) faced a major setback. Congress won only 16 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 20, and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP managed 10. The BJP, along with its allies, achieved a commanding victory.
- In Haryana, Congress won 37 seats, falling short as the BJP secured a third term with 48 seats in the 90-member assembly.
- In Jammu and Kashmir, Congress managed only 6 seats, while its ally National Conference secured 42, jointly winning 48 seats but failing to form a government.
- Call for Introspection:
Kharge urged party members to “immediately learn from the election results and correct all our weaknesses and shortcomings at the organizational level.” He stressed that these results serve as a wake-up call for the Congress.
Strategic Plans Discussed
The CWC meeting, attended by senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, focused on key upcoming elections:
- In Delhi, the Congress plans to contest all 70 seats independently in the 2025 Assembly elections, as confirmed by Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav.
Path Forward
With renewed calls for organizational reform, Congress aims to regain lost ground in crucial states while preparing for future electoral battles. Kharge’s focus on introspection and restructuring reflects the party’s acknowledgment of its current challenges and its intent to reclaim its political standing.