Dr Satwant Singh Rissam
ssrissam84@gmail.com
The Congress party faces significant political challenges in 2026, as it struggles to transform its gains from the 2024 and 2025 elections into a revival plan. After performing better than expected in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and some state elections, the party now confronts a tough landscape dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and powerful regional players. Key state assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, combined with crucial Rajya Sabha vacancies in 2026, will put immense pressure on Congress. A major turning point is the party’s planned “MGNREGA Bachao Abhiyan” (Save MGNREGA Campaign), protesting the BJP’s Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G Bill), which replaces the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Without bold reforms, Congress risks further decline in a polarized political environment. At the national level, Congress faces persistent leadership uncertainties and organizational weaknesses that erode public trust. For instance, questions still linger about Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi’s roles and the high command’s ability to project a united, decisive front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Many voters and analysts doubt whether Congress can offer a credible alternative government in 2029, given its history of internal factionalism. Additionally, the party’s agenda remains unclear, focusing more on criticizing BJP policies-like the MGNREGA name change. Instead of bringing more youth leaders on top positions in the party, Congress often resorts to mere anti-BJP rhetoric.
Moreover, years of electoral setbacks have hollowed out Congress’s grassroots machinery. Weak booth-level cadres in key states mean the party would again struggle to convert anti-incumbency sentiment into actual votes and seats. In 2024, it managed a vote share increase partly through alliances within the INDIA bloc, but sustaining this requires massive investment in young local leadership, membership drives, and digital outreach. Without refreshing its organizational base, recent successes could prove momentary, leaving Congress vulnerable to the BJP’s superior election machinery and resource mobilization. Building cadre depth requires cultural change; empowering state units and holding veteran leaders accountable could help rebuild worker-level loyalty within the party. Alliance dynamics within the INDIA bloc present another major dilemma because of mistrust and competing ambitions. Regional parties like Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and others fear that a resurgent Congress will encroach on their voter bases. As a result, negotiations over seat-sharing for polls often turn controversial, with allies demanding unequal considerations. The BJP exploits these cracks by branding Congress a “parasite” that weakens opposition unity, encouraging regional leaders to go solo or realign. For example, in Bihar’s recent elections, Nitish Kumar highlighted how fragile these partnerships are.
The INDIA coalition members disagree on many issues and small details. Creating a national program is tough because of different opinions among alliance partners, which is even visible in J&K politics. This makes it hard to reach an agreement. In states like West Bengal and Kerala, Congress faces competition from groups like the TMC and the Left, who also fight against the BJP. This creates a problem: working together nationally against Modi means making many compromises that weaken Congress’s unique identity. To move forward, the Congress party needs to focus on practical talks on issues that affect the whole country. State elections in 2026 will intensify this, testing Congress’s survival instincts rather than focusing only on total victory prospects.
In Assam and Puducherry, the BJP-led NDA holds strong advantages, backed by welfare schemes and Hindu vote consolidation. MGNREGA protests can not impact the BJP if the campaign is not made strategic. In West Bengal, the party faces TMC’s machinery on one side and BJP’s rising Hindutva wave on the other, forcing tough choices on targeting Mamata or Narendra Modi. Tamil Nadu’s DMK and Kerala’s contest between Left and Congress allies complicates matters further in Southern India. These polls are existential battles for Congress, where failure could signal irrelevance, prompting defections and ally desertions. Yet, opportunities exist amid widespread discontent over economic slowdowns and governance lapses that could boost opposition turnout if Congress invests in targeting swing voters through social media and door-to-door canvassing tied to the campaign.
The Rajya Sabha elections present a key moment, with about 75 seats becoming vacant in 2026. These indirect elections might change how the Congress party operates in the upper house, especially when it comes to passing new laws and making changes. If Congress performs badly, its influence in the upper house will likely decrease. On the other hand, the party needs to carefully shape its message to show it supports secularism, social justice, and national pride. The idea that Congress is “anti-Hindu” still lingers, which could push away upper castes and undecided voters. Instead of just criticizing Modi, the party should focus on positive ideas like Nyay Patra 2.0, which aims to create jobs and support young people. In short, 2026 is a time for Congress to completely refresh itself: it needs clear leadership, a new way of working, strong partnerships, and a clear set of ideas. If Congress gets this right, it could become a real rival to Modi by 2029 and once again be a major player in India’s lively democracy.
(The author is Media and Communication Professional)
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