New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has returned from his Europe tour to a pile of challenges that could shape his party’s fate in 2026.
Critics from the ruling side have already slammed the trip, but bigger issues loom inside Congress, demanding quick fixes to avoid deeper troubles.
Topping the list is Kerala, where Shashi Tharoor seeks clarity on his role amid factionalism that helped the Left reclaim power last time. In Karnataka, the fight between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post threatens stability in the party’s biggest state.
Election flops add to the woes. Rahul’s caste strategy bombed in Bihar, yielding no gains after appointing Dalit leader Rajesh Ram as president and tying up with RJD. Maharashtra saw a humiliating loss under new chief Harshvardhan Sapkal, sidelining veterans in a once-strong bastion.
Policy battles include turning the Modi government’s tweaks to MNREGA — dropping Mahatma Gandhi’s name — into a public outcry. The ‘vote theft’ claim, pushed through rallies and yatras, failed to resonate in Bihar and Maharashtra polls.
Alliances are tricky too. In Uttar Pradesh, Congress pushes for over 100 seats with SP, but recent setbacks weaken its hand. West Bengal’s unit wants to go solo, while talks with TMC hinge on accepting Mamata Banerjee’s terms. Haryana’s repeated defeats under Bhupendra Hooda fuel internal clashes, with rivals like Kumari Selja unhappy. Punjab eyes a comeback, but Navjot Sidhu’s silence after his suspension risks more drama. In Assam, facing Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress split from Badaruddin Ajmal, now worried about his tie-up with Asaduddin Owaisi.
Experts say Congress must act fast, learning from past stubs, or risk fading further as the BJP gears up for polls.