Saturday, March 3, 2018 was another setback day for the Congress and the Left. The three North-Eastern states elections results have been a hit for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies.
The stunning victory of BJP is remarkable. BJP thrashed the Left citadel which was ruled by them for more than two decades. BJP’s journey in Tripura, from zero to 35 is a result of their tremendous efforts, planning and meticulous preparation. It is the irretrievable decline for the Left in Tripura. Nagaland, is another feather in BJP’s cap.
When these two states victories or remarkable, BJP’s dismal performance in Meghalaya has to be talked. There is disappointment for the party. Modi’s visit could not turn the voters to BJP in this hilly state with 75 per cent Christian population. Even though, Congress has won more seats than any other party, it could not reach the magic number of 31 seats to form the government.
Three North-Eastern states have sent a clear message, that Congress is no more a credible alternative to BJP.
The debacle is worse for the Congress party; they are not able to win even a single seat in Nagaland and Tripura. Notwithstanding, Congress leaders are complacent and not ready to accept the ground reality. They are taking refugee of winning two or three seats in by-elections of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and belittling BJP’s victories.
With the general elections just 13 months away, is the Congress really serious about capturing power at the center? For Congress, understanding, negotiating and synchronising with its political friends and alliances is the need of the hour and a must. Meticulous planning and right alliances are required. A cadre based political structure with organisational statesmanship is a must to come up as credible alternative to the BJP. Will Congress realise this?
- The reader is a training professional based in Dubai
