Congress moves from ideology politics to politics of Change. The Congress Party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, is gradually shifting its political strategy from ideological battles on secularism, socialism, and welfare-driven governance to a more practical approach of offering a new strategy from ideology politics to politics of change. This shift has largely been forced by the BJP’s dominance in electoral politics, which had been weaponised by its extensive financial resources, organizational machinery, control over institutions, and ability to set the electoral politics to its favour.
The BJP had built a dynamic election-winning mechanism using its cadre-based support from the RSS, an extensive IT and media network, and strong financial backing from corporate donors through electoral bonds scheme, which has been declared un-constitutional.
Congress, had been struggling with leadership crises and resource constraints, found it difficult to counter BJP. Congress’s traditional appeal to minorities, Dalits, and secular voters had weakened due to BJP’s aggressive Hindutva politics and targeted outreach to OBCs and Dalits. The shifting of OBC votes in the Hindi belt and BJP’s success in attracting a section of Dalits and tribals had left Congress with limited space. Rahul Gandhi slowly and steadily is reclaiming the lost ground by massive rallies, meetings and addressing the community fora.
How Congress is adapting new strategy stressing on the politics of change
Instead of directly challenging BJP on ideological grounds, the Congress is shifting towards the idea of providing an alternative model focussing on issues like unemployment, inflation, farmers distress, caste census and disguised corruption rather than attacking BJP’s ideological stance head-on.
Recognizing that BJP’s national dominance is difficult to challenge, Congress is focusing on state-level politics where it can build coalitions and exploit local anti-incumbency. The party had taken a welfare-driven approach in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan elections, though due to malpractices and the management of Election Commission, it had lost Assembly elections in all these States including Haryana and Maharashtra.
Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra was an example of shifting the narrative from ideological debates to a direct connection with people, focusing on unity, economy, and democracy. Congress has realized that it cannot defeat BJP alone, and hence, it laid the foundation for the creation of the INDIA bloc with regional parties. Unlike its earlier approach of asserting dominance over allies, it is now more accommodative in seat-sharing arrangements, though these parties have shown reluctance to continue their support, after the debacle of Haryana and Maharashtra.
Role of Regional Parties in countering BJP & their shift in strategy
Regional parties like TMC, SP, RJD, DMK, and AAP have also been adapting their strategies in response to BJP’s destructive approaches. Like Congress, these parties initially relied on their core ideological positions but have gradually shifted towards a more issue-based, anti-incumbency-driven approach to counter BJP’s electoral machinery.
Unlike before, regional parties have now recognized the need for strategic coalitions to take on the BJP in national politics. TMC, SP, RJD, and DMK have been part of the INDIA alliance, despite earlier rivalries with Congress. In Bihar, Tejasvi Yadav and Nitish Kumar are setting challenges to BJP. Tejasvi Yadav, started distancing himself from Nitish Kumar on the pretext that the charisma of Nitish Kumar has gone and he has become a tool in the hands of BJP. Therefore, Tejasvi has shown his reluctance to align with Nitish Kumar, who he considers is a dwindling light on the horizons of Bihar.
To counter BJP’s monopoly on Hindu sentiments, many regional parties are embracing religious symbolism rather than confronting Hindutva directly. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav now visits temples and speaks about Hindu identity while emphasizing backward caste concerns. TMC in West Bengal balances its secular credentials by allowing Durga Puja processions and emphasizing Bengali sub-nationalism.
TMC’s anti-BJP campaign in West Bengal was centred around Bengali identity and federalism, rather than broader ideological concerns. DMK in Tamil Nadu kept its fight against BJP on regional autonomy, language rights, and social justice rather than direct ideological battles.
Regional Parties’ apprehensions about Congress within the INDIA front
While the INDIA front was formed to counter BJP’s dominance, tensions continue to exist among its constituents, particularly TMC, AAP, SP, and RJD regarding Congress’s growing influence. These parties are fearing that while fighting BJP, the Congress might attempt to reclaim its lost political ground at their expense, leading to future electoral setbacks for them in their own states.
Regional parties have grown primarily in states where Congress once dominated but weakened due to internal failures and BJP’s rise. If Congress recovers its voter base, especially among Dalits, OBCs, and Muslims, it could invade into the vote share of regional parties rather than just taking on the BJP. TMC in Bengal scared that Congress’s resurgence could split the anti-BJP vote. Mamata Banerjee initially hesitated to fully back the INDIA bloc, as she had worried Congress would contest aggressively in Bengal. Samajwadi Party in UP did not want Congress to grow as a third force in the state, as it had traditionally competed for the same Muslim and Dalit voters.
While the INDIA bloc’s common goal is to defeat BJP, the regional parties would want to remain dominant in their respective states. Congress, however, would aspire to be the main opposition party nationally, which would expand beyond its current weak spheres at the cost of its allies.
In Bihar, RJD dominates the opposition space, but if Congress grows stronger, it could demand more seats in future elections. Vary of Congress ambitions, the AAP did not contest together in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa and Delhi in 2024 as both parties compete for similar anti-BJP voters. Many regional parties felt Congress demands too many seats in states where it has little presence, which could weaken their fight against BJP.
In West Bengal, TMC wanted to contest the majority of seats, leaving little room for Congress, which traditionally had a great presence in the state. In UP, SP did give a 17 seats to Congress due to pressure of Minorities. Some regional parties doubt whether Congress has got the political aggression and resources to fight BJP effectively. They fear that aligning too closely with Congress might not be beneficial if Congress fails to match BJP’s aggressive election strategies.
How BJP exploits the internal conflicts of the Regional Parties
BJP is aware of the schisms within the INDIA front and used a number of strategies to exploit them. BJP projected Congress as a tormenter within the alliance, urging regional parties to fight independently. It could split the anti-BJP vote in key states like UP, Bihar, Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttara Khand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab. BJP had successfully split regional parties in the past, such as Shiv Sena, NCP in Maharashtra, JD(S) in Karnataka, Lok Janashakthi Party of Ram Vilas Paswan, in Bihar, National Lok Dal party in Haryana.
BJP could impress upon the smaller regional players who felt let down by Congress and other major INDIA bloc members to align with BJP. BJP brands the opposition alliance as an opportunistic coalition, appealing to Hindu voters who feel threatened by Muslim-centred vote-bank politics. It uses ED, CBI, and IT raids to weaken regional leaders like Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, Tejaswi Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, Mayavati’s nephew Akash Anand.
Have Regional Parties miscalculated Congress’s resurgence?
The litmus test for the opposition alliance is whether it prioritizes defeating BJP ignoring over internal rivalries. If seat-sharing fails, regional parties may go alone in key states, which could help BJP win due to opposition divisions. If Congress agrees to play a more flexible role, it could strengthen the anti-BJP coalition.
Many regional parties seem to have miscalculated the political dynamics by focusing too much on Congress’s resurgence while underestimating BJP’s aggressive strategy to dismantle them. For years, BJP has followed a clear two-pronged approach – weaken Congress at the national level to establish itself as the primary national force; crush regional parties to remove state-level resistance and create a Congress vs. BJP narrative, which would help BJP win elections easily.
Regional parties see Congress as a competitor for opposition space, but they forgot that BJP is the bigger threat. BJP’s primary focus has been to demolish regional parties first, as they are stronger than Congress in some states. Instead of strengthening opposition unity, regional parties spent energy bargaining for seats with Congress, weakening their collective fight against BJP.
Congress, despite its weaknesses, still has a national identity, historical background, and institutional strength. Regional parties, on the other hand, depend heavily on one leader or family (Mamata in TMC, Kejriwal in AAP, Lalu in RJD, Akhilesh in SP). BJP’s approach is to weaken the leader; split the party; absorb local leaders into BJP and take over the state. Once BJP destroys regional parties, it will focus on uprooting the Congress.
Congress moves from ideology politics to politics of Change – Why Is Congress adopting politics of Change?
BJP has captured media, judiciary, election machinery, and financial resources. Fighting on pure ideological grounds has resulted in limited success. Instead of taking on BJP, only on ideological terms, Congress is positioning itself as a party of governance reform, economic revival, and institutional restoration.
Congress has realized that just opposing BJP’s ideology without offering a clear roadmap for governance does not work. Rahul Gandhi’s new approach, such as focus more on inflation, unemployment, Adani-Ambani dominance, and social justice rather than just ideological battles. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was less about Hindutva vs. Secularism and more about jobs, inflation, farmers’ distress, and social harmony.
While saving democracy is a crucial issue, it is not enough to mobilize mass voters in an electoral battle. Rahul Gandhi is now talking more about youth aspirations, economic justice, and social change rather than just constitutional threats. The recent Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is cantered on the concept of “Nyay” (justice) for the poor, farmers, unemployed youth, and small businesses.
Congress strategy in adjusting to Regional Parties?
Many regional parties fear that Congress is regaining ground and might challenge them in their strongholds. However, Congress seems to be moving forward without being held back by these concerns.
Earlier, Congress was too dependent on alliances but received unfair treatment in seat-sharing negotiations. SP gave Congress only 17 seats in UP, TMC is reluctant to share seats in Bengal, AAP is competing with Congress in Delhi. Now, Congress is open to alliances but is not willing to sacrifice itself for the sake of unity.
Congress is no longer just accommodating regional parties; it is building its independent strength in states like UP, Bengal, Bihar, and Delhi. Congress is contesting more seats in UP despite SP’s dominance. In Bengal, Congress is slowly rebuilding its old voter base, even if it clashes with TMC. In Delhi, Congress is not conceding completely to adamant behaviour of AAP.
Congress is re-emerging as the main challenger in some states where regional parties are struggling. In Bihar, if RJD weakens, Congress will try to expand; in Telangana, Congress already replaced TRS/BRS as the reckoning force.
Congress moves from ideology politics to politics of Change – From Idealist to Strategic Player
Rahul Gandhi’s leadership has matured significantly over the years. Earlier, he was seen as someone who focused too much on ideology without on-the ground-political considerations. Now, he has adjusted his approach in several ways. In the recent past Congress was seen as passive and reactive. Now, Rahul Gandhi is taking up the offensive against BJP. His directly attacking BJP on Adani, Ambani, caste census, farmer issues, price rise, inflation and crony capitalism. Earlier, he depended on senior Congress leaders who lacked connect with ground-level politics.
Now, he is engaging with youth, grassroots workers, and social movements rather than just party bureaucrats. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was not just a political campaign but an attempt to revive Congress’s grassroots presence. Earlier, Congress was constantly on the defensive against BJP’s attacks on dynasty politics. Now, Rahul is unapologetic about his leadership and instead focuses on BJP’s failures rather than responding to personal attacks.
The INDIA bloc will not remain stagnant, there will be realignments based on electoral aspirations. Congress will lead the opposition but not compromise on its own revival. Congress will not be overshadowed by Regional Parties. While it will seek alliances, Congress will not surrender its leadership role in the opposition. If regional parties do not cooperate fairly, Congress will go alone in many states.
BJP’s strategies of crushing Regional Parties, weakening Congress, and the Risks
The BJP, with its massive financial, institutional, and narrative control, is executing a two-pronged strategy- weaken the Congress within the INDIA front by exploiting contradictions among its allies; crush regional parties that pose a long-term threat to its dominance, ensuring a BJP dominance.
However, the fierce positioning of Rahul Gandhi and the uncertainty over Modi’s succession could lead to an unexpected shift in the political landscape, potentially boomeranging on the BJP. BJP knows that the INDIA alliance is crackable, with conflicting interests among Congress and regional parties.
BJP tries to make backdoor arrangements with some regional parties, isolating Congress like, JDU’s past exit from the INDIA front and BRS aligning with BJP in Telangana in elections. BJP uses ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department to create fear among opposition leaders. AAP’s leadership facing legal troubles and TMC leaders under financial probe, making them hesitant to fully commit to an aggressive opposition front INDIA.
Rahul Gandhi’s aggressive counterattack and public sentiment shift is disrupting BJP’s plans. BJP, which relied on religion and nationalism, may struggle if economic concerns dominate. If this momentum transforms into votes, BJP’s grip on the electorate could weaken. Devoid of issues it started attacking Sonia Gandi on her informal remarks on the Presidential address delivered on the first day of the Budget Session on 31st January, 2025.
A major twist is Narendra Modi’s possible retirement once he attains 75. Unlike Congress, which has a clear leader in Rahul Gandhi, BJP has no obvious successor. Modi’s absence could weaken BJP’s personality-cult-driven politics. Modi’s strongman image is a part of BJP’s appeal. If he steps down, BJP will struggle to maintain its floating electorate.
BJP has internal power struggles, especially between Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, and RSS-backed leaders and of course Nitin Gadkari, off the screen. If Modi retires, BJP could face internal conflicts, allowing Congress and regional parties to emerge. After 10 years of BJP rule, anti-incumbency and dissatisfaction with economic policies, unemployment, and capitalistic tendencies could hurt BJP.
Congress moves from ideology politics to politics of Change – Final Discourse
Congress’s shift from ideology-driven politics to politics of change is a resurgent strategy in the face of BJP’s brute dominance. Rather than taking on BJP directly on Hindutva, nationalism, or institutional control, Congress is attacking on governance failures, state-level electoral gains, and strategic alliances.
Regional parties have underestimated BJP’s aggression while overestimating the Congress intentions. Congress is no longer waiting for alliances in its forward movements. If regional parties stick with Congress, they can collectively challenge BJP. If they hesitate, Congress will still move forward aggressively and reclaim its lost ground.
The BJP is intelligently playing its cards, with all its reinforcements in hand and the Adani phenomena. It will see the INDIA front split, and on the one the hand, it wants to isolate and weaken the Congress at the cost of crushing the reginal parties, on the other. It will try to ensure its hold on the Indian politics for long. It may boomerang on the fierce posing of Rahul Gandhi and the likely retirement Narendra Modi.
While BJP is playing a divide-and-rule strategy, there are factors that could derail its plans. Rahul Gandhi’s political resurgence could mobilize anti-BJP sentiment in a way that regional parties cannot. Public frustration with economic distress, unemployment, and corruption could overpower BJP’s Hindutva narrative. If Modi exits, BJP could struggle with leadership succession, opening space for Congress and opposition forces.