Reincarnate to rejuvenate

It is tough for old political parties on the decline to reinvent themselves without a change in leadership

- GILLES VERNIERS

It would be presumptuous to write a death certificate for a party that has existed for more than a hundred years. There are other examples in the world of political parties that have governed or ruled for decades and then went through phases of deep decline. But then, they have successfully re-emerged. You may find examples in Japan, Mexico and Italy; to a certain extent, the Labour Party in the United Kingdom as well. But all these parties have succeeded in reinventing themselves. They went through a change of leadership and electoral platform. They have redefined their identity and ideologies. In many ways, these parties are almost unrecognisable to their previous incarnations before their decline.

It is not up to me to say what the Congress leadership should do, whether it should go or not. It is not my concern as a scholar. The only observation I can make is that it is tough for old political parties on the decline to reinvent themselves with the same people at the top. That is what many examples across the world tell us.

The Congress party remains the second national party in India by virtue of retaining support from a large number of people. You still have several states where there is no opposition other than the Congress. Most of these states are largely in the Hindi belt. You still have many states where the Congress remains the direct contender for the BJP, and it is unclear as to which other regional parties—including the Aam Aadmi Party—might come to these states. It will be challenging for any party seeking to replace the Congress in these states.