In the lead-up to crucial elections, the Congress party appears fractured across four key battleground states—Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bengal—facing internal dissent, alliance strains, and public rebukes from its own leaders. From tensions with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over power-sharing in Tamil Nadu to the resignation of its Assam unit chief and a war of words involving veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar in Kerala, the party is grappling with visible divisions.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Pradip Bhandari highlighted the turmoil on X, stating, “Loyalists who spent entire life time in Congress; now openly speaking against Rahul Gandhi! When your own leaders do not believe in your leadership; imagine the state of your party. Mani Shankar Iyer—‘I am a Rajivian not a Rahulian’ Congress vs Rahul Gandhi! Congress rejects Rahul Gandhi!” Bhandari's post underscores the growing perception of rejection of Rahul Gandhi's leadership within Congress ranks.
In Kerala, the controversy centers on Mani Shankar Aiyar, described as a staunch Congress loyalist and Rajiv Gandhi admirer. Aiyar publicly declared, “I am a Rajivian not a Rahulian,” signaling a clear preference for the late Rajiv Gandhi over Rahul Gandhi. This statement has fueled a war of words, amplifying internal rifts in the poll-bound state.
Assam's Congress unit has been rocked by the resignation of its chief, Bhupen Borah, adding to the party's challenges in the northeastern state. The departure of Borah, a key figure, points to deeper organizational discord as elections approach.
In Tamil Nadu, Congress faces strain with its ally, the DMK, particularly over power-sharing arrangements. These tensions threaten the opposition's coordination in the southern state, where electoral alliances are critical.
Bengal presents another flashpoint, with references to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) amid the broader narrative of Congress's precarious poll position. Leaders like Aiyar, alongside figures such as Borah, are cited in critiques portraying Rahul Gandhi as a political "PAPPY," reflecting the sharp rhetoric dominating political discourse.
Across these four states, the Congress's internal divisions—from leadership rejections to alliance frictions—pose significant hurdles, as voiced by BJP observers and the party's own veterans, ahead of the impending polls.
