The recent defeat for the Congress in the election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh took an unexpected turn. The Congress candidate, Abishek “Manu” Singhvi, did not lose to Harsh Mahajan, a former Congressman, in terms of votes. There was a tie as six Congress members cross-voted, and three Independents sided with Mr. Mahajan, each receiving 34 votes. The tie was broken by lots, resulting in Mr. Singhvi’s loss. It appears that Mr. Mahajan’s influence led the six rebels to vote for him. The mystery lies in the three Independents voting together rather than independently.
The BJP, known for poaching members from ruling parties to form their own government, fielded Mr. Mahajan for the Rajya Sabha seat as a strategic move to steal votes from the Congress. However, after winning the seat, the BJP claimed that Congress had lost the majority in the state, which is not accurate. Both parties now have 34 members, and the BJP relies on support from the six Congress rebels and three Independents. If the six Congress members are disqualified under the anti-defection law, the BJP will only have their 25 members and the three Independents, totaling 28, well below Congress’ 34.
While the BJP’s aggressive tactics are part of their culture, they still lack a majority in the House. The blame for this crisis falls on the Congress for not being able to maintain party unity despite winning the elections a year ago. The ongoing power struggles within the party, especially regarding leadership choices, showcase a lack of organizational discipline and strong central leadership. The party’s outdated principles of secularism and socialism have also caused internal rifts, leading to rebellions and chaos.
Unlike the BJP’s disingenuous Hindutva ideology, the Congress lacks a cohesive ideological framework and struggles to compete with the BJP’s political maneuvering. While the BJP prioritizes power and numbers, the Congress needs to realign its principles or find more relevant ones to rebuild the party’s strength. The Himachal Pradesh episode is just a glimpse of the larger political landscape, where the Congress remains the only national organization capable of confronting the BJP. The cyclical nature of politics suggests that the BJP’s dominance will eventually wane, and a stronger opposition will emerge to challenge Narendra Modi.
Overall, the political landscape is ever-changing, and while the current situation may favor the BJP, future shifts are inevitable. The Congress must adapt and evolve to remain a relevant force in Indian politics.