CONGRESS IS COLLAPSING UNDER ITS OWN WEIGHT

The onus rests on the Congress leadership to address internal discord and restore stability, rather than resorting to unsubstantiated accusations.

- AJIT MAINDOLA

The political turmoil in Himachal Pradesh shows no signs of abating. The senior leadership of the Congress party cannot gloss over the issues of disgruntled MLAs (members of Legislative Assembly) within the party. Merely deflecting responsibility by attributing challenges to the BJP’s alleged attempts at orchestrating defections through ‘Operation Lotus’ is insufficient. None would subscribe to its allegations that the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is weaponising investigation agencies to intimidate Congress leaders in order to turn them saboteur and join BJP fold.

A chronological analysis of ‘Operation Lotus’ events since 2014, would reveal that the Congress never had watertight plans for states; consequently, the party itself has become susceptible to warrant crisis like that occurred in Himachal Pradesh. Be it Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Assam, Rajasthan or any other state, the party high command had no templates for state leaders so that they can settle their issues and become democratic to reach a consensus on fixing internal disturbance.

The party high command has never tried to lower the bar for party workers and senior leaders to come forward and resolve issues through dialogue. 

Following tips from other leaders, the entire Gandhi family distanced itself from the former senior party leader Jyotiraditya Scindia when news was in air that one-year old Congress government in Madhya Pradesh was in crisis.

Had the Gandhis initiated a dialogue with Scindia, a crash could have been averted and the Congress would have been in a better position in Madhya Pradesh today.

If the party had fixed simmering infighting between its first-born Ashok Gehlot and his bête-noire Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan three years ago, the party might not be in such sordid condition there.