Congress seems to be facing a string of setbacks, with its bad days continuing. Ever since the party lost power at the centre in 2014, things have not been going well for them, and the situation seems to have worsened recently. In a new development, a protest led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament premises over the Ambedkar issue took an ugly turn. During the protest, Rahul Gandhi was involved in a scuffle with BJP MPs, leading to allegations of pushing.
A major clash erupted between Congress and BJP over the Ambedkar issue, but it was Rahul Gandhi’s actions that dominated the headlines. While the Ambedkar debate was the focal point, BJP seized the opportunity to escalate tensions following a scuffle between Rahul Gandhi and BJP MPs. The incident led to allegations that Rahul had pushed BJP MPs, Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Sarangi, both of whom were injured and hospitalized.
Both MPs accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing them during the altercation. The incident has escalated tensions between the Congress and BJP, with both parties exchanging sharp words over the matter. The Congress, already grappling with a series of challenges, now faces further controversy surrounding the protest.
The debate on Ambedkar also sparked intense exchanges inside and outside Parliament. BJP leaders, particularly Union Home Minister Amit Shah, faced aggressive opposition after his speech on the Constitution. During the discussion, Shah did not make any remarks that could have sparked a major controversy. However, his repeated mention of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar triggered opposition ire, particularly from Congress, which saw it as an attempt to inject caste politics into the national discourse for the sake of securing votes from backward classes.
Congress and other opposition parties reacted strongly, accusing Shah of politicizing Ambedkar’s legacy for electoral gain. In response, Shah clarified that his words had been misrepresented and distorted by the opposition. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, seen as a prominent figure in backward class politics since 2022, seemed to believe that the politics of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar applied to the entire country, further intensifying the political battle.
As the controversy unfolded, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge joined the criticism, accusing the BJP of manipulating the situation for political gain. The uproar was not confined to Parliament but also spilled over into public discourse, with both sides exchanging accusations of misconduct. BJP leaders became especially aggressive as the party’s second-in-command, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, faced sharp attacks from the opposition. Congress, in particular, had been targeting Shah following his speech on the Constitution.
During his speech, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made remarks about Ambedkar that sparked outrage among opposition parties. Although Shah clarified that his comments had been misinterpreted, Congress and other opposition groups seized the opportunity to rally backward-class voters by emphasizing Ambedkar’s legacy. Rahul Gandhi, increasingly associated with backward-class politics, took a leading role in this campaign. His focus on caste issues, particularly in connection with Ambedkar, seems to be an effort to influence regional politics in states like UP and Bihar. Rahul’s strategy is centered around the belief that power can be gained through caste-based politics.
Rahul Gandhi has begun to engage in a form of politics that involves waving the Constitution, supporting a caste census, and referencing the Manu Smriti—issues that many even within Congress struggle to fully grasp. When Rahul speaks, it appears the entire party must follow suit, and his rhetoric suggests that if the Congress comes to power, it will be a victory. However, if not, Rahul sees the situation as an opportunity to position himself as a champion for the backward classes. This tactic seems to be part of his broader strategy that also includes taking on figures like Adani. In doing so, Rahul has shifted focus from key issues such as farmers’ struggles, inflation, unemployment, and corruption.
Rahul believes that by uniting the backward classes, the path to Delhi will be easier for Congress. However, the political path he is pursuing does not seem to hold much promise for improving Congress’s fortunes. With the winter session nearing its end, it appears unlikely that Congress will take to the streets again anytime soon. After its defeat in Maharashtra, the party had instructed state units to organize protests over issues like EVMs and Adani, but these efforts were mostly formalities.
As Delhi elections approach, Congress does not appear to be a serious contender, and even if Rahul aims for positive change, the party’s bad times seem unlikely to improve. Rahul should take a cue from his mother, Sonia Gandhi, and perhaps avoid worsening the situation with his politics. Politics isn’t won by wearing T-shirts; it requires careful strategy and foresight.
