The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, accusing it of evading accountability on critical issues, including alleged cronyism, communal tensions, and the spiraling violence in Manipur. In a meeting held in the National capital, the party’s top decision-making body also grappled with its own electoral setbacks while calling for internal reforms and a renewed push to connect with voters.
The session, convened during a chaotic Winter session of Parliament, saw the Congress leadership adopt a hard-hitting resolution outlining the BJP government’s “systematic failures” and setting the tone for an intensified nationwide campaign in the lead-up to the 2024 General Elections.
The Congress singled out Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “abdication of responsibility” in Manipur, a state reeling from ethnic violence since May 2023. It alleged that the BJP’s refusal to discuss these issues in Parliament was indicative of its “brazen disregard for democratic accountability.”
Further, the CWC highlighted the BJP’s alleged attempts to polarize communities, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as a focal point of concern. The Congress accused the ruling party of undermining the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, calling it a calculated strategy to stir communal unrest.
While there were moments of celebration, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s emphatic win in the Wayanad by-election and the party’s strong showing in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir, the CWC didn’t shy away from confronting its shortcomings.
In Haryana, where the party was expected to perform strongly, the Congress fell short of forming a government, prompting allegations of electoral malpractices. Meanwhile, the dismal showing in Maharashtra left the leadership stunned, with the resolution suggesting “targeted manipulation” behind the outcome.
“This result defies normal political understanding,” the resolution noted, reflecting the frustration within the party over its failure to counter the BJP’s electoral machinery.
The meeting placed a significant emphasis on introspection. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been tasked with completing state-wise reviews and initiating organizational reforms. The CWC emphasised the importance of discipline and unity at all levels of the party, urging its leaders to double down on issues of public concern like caste census, unemployment, inflation, and economic monopolies.
“The challenges we face are immense, but so is our resolve,” read a key portion of the resolution, signaling the party’s intent to keep its narrative alive despite recent setbacks.
Raising the stakes further, the CWC accused the Election Commission of partisanship, alleging that the integrity of the electoral process was being “severely compromised.” This, the Congress warned, is fueling public frustration and eroding trust in democratic institutions.
The resolution ended with a call to action for Congress workers to channel their energies into building a national movement against what it described as the BJP’s divisive policies and its monopolization of electoral power.
“This is not the time to panic or lose heart. Unity, discipline, and renewed determination are essential,” the resolution urged, setting the stage for what could be an intensely charged political season.
The CWC’s resolution comes as the Congress attempts to regain its footing after mixed results in recent state elections. With a buoyant BJP dominating the national narrative and public institutions under growing scrutiny, the Congress’s ability to galvanize support may determine the shape of the political contest.
As the Congress rallies its cadres for a long political battle, all eyes are now on whether it can translate this moment of resolve into a meaningful resurgence or if internal fractures and organizational inertia will undermine its efforts yet again.