May 16 was just not another day. After a nine-phased voting, the counting of votes had begun early in the morning. Television channels involved themselves in a mad race to be the first ones in deciding who would rule Delhi for another five years. While there were celebrations on one end, some had their jaws dropped in shock and disappointment.

24, Akbar Road, the Congress party headquarter, was deserted with little or no activity. Usually a witness to a flurry of visitors, the party workers had chosen to sit in their homes and helplessly watch the seats tally drop down and down. Most of the candidates had either opted to stay away from counting centres or had returned home in disappointment. By evening, the result was clear. The party that had rode to power in 2004, was reduced to its lowest ever tally till date. The miniscule seat figures meant that the Grand Old Party had suffered an ignominy of having failed to acquire the status of being an opposition. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and her son Rahul, the star campaigner took blame for the rout. While the UPA Chairperson congratulated victorious BJP and its prime ministerial nominee for the massive mandate, Rahul grinned only to be ripped apart on social media.

What actually went wrong for Congress? There are a lot of reasons behind such a shattering debacle. The party that survived its own share of ups and downs in its 129-year-old history, is facing a question of its survival. Facing a strong BJP backed by a stupendous mandate, it fears being ousted from power until PM-elect Narendra Modi fails to deliver on its promises. Although facing flak for being  a political novice in decision making, RTI activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party is no less threatening.

Priyanka Vadra
But every problem should have solution. The top brass at 10,Janpath will have to think of means to revive the party. It seemed that the party had given up much before the election dates had been announced. The foremost thing that ails the Congress at present is its obsession with Gandhi family. After Rahul has failed miserably and is being ridiculed as being a liability for the Grand Old Party. Clamours have grown louder with a section of senior leaders vouching for his sister Priyanka who according to them should come to the forefront and assume a larger role in the party. I agree with leaders like Pallam Raju and Veerappa Moily regarding Priyanka’s charisma. But parachuting her would not do party any good. She is often compared to her grandmother and former Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi, but there cannot be another Iron Lady. The former will have to take up organizational role and work at grassroots level if there are any plans to take up active politics. Add to this, she should not forget that she is the wife of business tycoon Robert Vadra, at crosshairs by various political parties owing to his alleged dubious land deals.

 Secondly, the party should work more to improve its  infrastructure. There have often been complaints about  elections to local units being conducted in an  undemocratic manner. Allegations of biasness and  favouritism loomed large during ticket distribution in  Lok Sabha polls, while some senior leaders preferred  to stay away from contesting elections. Even the US-  inspired system of choosing candidates through  primaries, an idea mooted by vice president Rahul  Gandhi failed miserably. The prolonged tradition of  devotion to Gandhi family should also be done away  with.

 In a country where more than 70 percent of the population is below the age of 35, being tech-savvy is extremely important. Hailed as a ‘youth icon’ by many of hi sycophants, Rahul baba and his team completely neglected the power harnessed by internet, particularly social media. BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi regularly interacted with youth while the Gandhi scion only vented ire at possible Talibanisation of India if the saffron party came to power. And the result is quite clear. Modi’s PR team managed social media in an excellent manner, while the Congress young turks spoke about communal pogroms.

I hope the party bosses read this and introspect. They are better people to think of ways to revive the ailing ‘soch’ as what they call it.