Congress Party Analysis: A Decade of Issues, Leadership and Public Response (2014-2025)

Overview

The Indian National Congress has undergone a tumultuous journey since its devastating defeat in 2014, marked by significant leadership changes, evolving political strategies, and varying degrees of public relatability. This comprehensive analysis examines the party’s trajectory year by year, highlighting key issues raised, leadership transitions, and public response patterns that have shaped its political fortunes.

The Great Defeat and Initial Struggles (2014-2016)

2014: The Historic Debacle

The Congress party’s 2014 electoral performance remains its worst in history, winning merely 44 seats out of 543. Under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi as President and Rahul Gandhi as Vice President, the party faced what analysts called an “electoral disaster”. The campaign, led by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and general secretary Rahul Gandhi, focused on promising “Right to Health,” “Right to homestead,” “Right to social security,” and “Right to pension”.wikipedia+1

However, these promises failed to resonate with voters who were dealing with corruption scandals, economic slowdown, and anti-incumbency sentiment. The party’s public relatability was at its lowest, characterized by elite disconnect and poor campaign messaging. Political observers noted that the Congress suffered from “collective responsibility” avoidance rather than addressing underlying issues.indiatoday

2015: Opposition Strategy Takes Shape

The Congress began establishing its opposition credentials by taking strong positions on major government initiatives. The party opposed the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha, demanding it be sent to a Select Committee. This opposition was criticized as obstructionist, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accusing Congress of being a “drag on the economy”.lokniti

The party also opposed the Land Acquisition Amendment Act, which aimed to ease land acquisition for industrial projects. Most significantly, Congress launched a major campaign against “growing intolerance” following incidents like the Dadri lynching. Sonia Gandhi led a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan, submitting a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee about rising intolerance.wikipedia+3

While the intolerance campaign resonated with intellectuals and activists, it had limited mass appeal, representing the party’s struggle to connect with broader public concerns.

2016: Mixed Messaging and Contradictions

The year 2016 saw Congress grappling with multiple complex issues that exposed internal contradictions. The party strongly criticized demonetization, calling it an “organized loot” and “criminal act”. This criticism gained some traction as people faced difficulties accessing their money.youtubewikipedia

However, the party faced challenges with the JNU sedition controversy. While supporting students like Kanhaiya Kumar, the party struggled with the nationalist narrative surrounding the case. The Congress also attempted to politicize surgical strikes, claiming credit for similar operations during UPA rule, leading to mixed public reception.ddnews+3

Leadership Transition and Recovery Attempts (2017-2019)

2017: Rahul Gandhi Takes Charge

Rahul Gandhi was elected Congress President in December 2017, ending Sonia Gandhi’s 19-year tenure. The party showed signs of improvement in the Gujarat Assembly elections, winning 77 seats compared to 61 in 2012. This was attributed to alliances with youth leaders like Hardik Patel and focusing on farmer distress and GST implementation issues.prsindia+1

The public relatability began improving as the party connected with agrarian concerns and caste-based mobilization in Gujarat, though it still fell short of forming government.

2018: Rafale Controversy and State Victories

Under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, Congress made the Rafale deal a major campaign issue, alleging corruption and crony capitalism. The party used slogans like “Chowkidar Chor Hai” (The watchman is a thief) targeting Prime Minister Modi.indianexpress+2

The Congress achieved significant success in state elections, winning Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The Rafale allegations resonated with opposition supporters, though the Supreme Court later dismissed all PILs against the deal.newindianexpress+1

2019: Mixed Results and Leadership Crisis

Despite focused campaigning and the “Nyay” scheme promising ₹6,000 to poorest households, Congress improved marginally to 52 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi lost his traditional seat of Amethi but won from Wayanad.ndtv+1

Following the defeat, Rahul Gandhi resigned as party president, taking responsibility for the poor performance. This led to Sonia Gandhi returning as interim president, highlighting the party’s continued dependence on the Gandhi family.prsindia+1

Finding Voice in Opposition (2020-2022)

2020-2021: Gaining Momentum Through Crisis Response

The Congress found its voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, criticizing the government’s response and highlighting the migrant crisis. The party supported the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, opposing what it called discriminatory legislation.indiatoday+2

Most significantly, Congress strongly supported the farmers’ protests against the three farm laws. Rahul Gandhi called the laws deliberate attempts to help billionaire friends, and the party coordinated with farmer unions throughout the year-long agitation.wikipedia+2

Public relatability reached high levels during this period, with COVID criticism resonating widely and the migrant crisis generating significant sympathy for the party’s positions.

2022: Organizational Renaissance

A watershed moment came with Mallikarjun Kharge’s election as Congress President in October 2022, ending 24 years of Gandhi family leadership. Kharge, the first Dalit president of the party, brought organizational experience and credibility.cdnbbsr.s3waas

The launch of the Bharat Jodo Yatra in September 2022 marked a strategic shift. Rahul Gandhi’s 4,000-kilometer foot march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir over 145 days cost the party ₹71.8 crore but proved transformational. The yatra successfully reconnected the party with grassroots workers and citizens.newindianexpress+1

Resurgence and Challenges (2023-2025)

2023: State Victories and Setbacks

The Bharat Jodo Yatra’s impact became evident in the Karnataka elections, where Congress won 135 seats, returning to power after a decade. The party attributed this victory directly to the yatra’s influence.news18

Congress continued raising issues like caste census, Adani allegations, and supporting wrestling protests. The caste census demand particularly resonated with OBC and Dalit communities.wikipedia

However, the party faced setbacks in Hindi heartland states, losing Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh while winning Telangana.wikipedia

2024: The INDIA Bloc Success

The formation of the INDIA bloc represented a strategic masterstroke. Despite initial challenges with allies like Nitish Kumar switching sides, the alliance proved effective.wikipedia

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress won 99 seats, nearly doubling its 2019 tally. The party’s success was particularly notable in direct contests with the BJP, where its strike rate improved from 8% in 2019 to 30% in 2024.thewire

Rahul Gandhi’s appointment as Leader of Opposition after a decade marked his return to a constitutional role. The Constitution protection campaign and INDIA bloc unity resonated strongly with voters concerned about democratic institutions.theprint+1

2025: Ongoing Challenges

Despite electoral improvements, Congress continues facing organizational challenges. The party’s performance in state elections like Delhi reflects persistent issues with leadership questions and strategic clarity.ndtv

Rahul Gandhi’s focus on caste census and constitutional issues, while important, sometimes appears disconnected from immediate voter concerns.ndtv

Public Relatability Assessment: Patterns and Trends

Low Relatability Periods (2014, 2019)

Elite disconnect and poor messaging
Dynasty debate overshadowing policy positions
Limited organizational reach beyond traditional strongholds

Moderate Relatability Periods (2015-2018)

Issue-based campaigns like intolerance and Rafale
Selective resonance with urban, educated audiences
Inconsistent messaging on key policies

High Relatability Periods (2020-2024)

Crisis response during COVID-19 pandemic
Farmer protests solidarity
Bharat Jodo Yatra grassroots connect
Constitutional protection concerns
INDIA bloc unity against BJP

Leadership Evolution and Impact

The transition from Sonia Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi to Mallikarjun Kharge reflects the party’s struggle with renewal while maintaining continuity. Sonia Gandhi’s experience provided stability during crisis periods, while Rahul Gandhi’s energy brought new approaches like the yatras. Mallikarjun Kharge’s leadership has provided organizational stability and broader social representation.

The appointment of Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition represents a new phase, combining his experience with constitutional responsibilities.timesofindia.indiatimes

Conclusion: A Party in Transition

The Congress party’s journey from 2014-2025 demonstrates both decline and revival. While the party hit its lowest point in 2014 with 44 seats, the gradual recovery to 99 seats by 2024 suggests organizational and strategic improvements.

Key Success Factors:

Effective alliance building through INDIA bloc
Grassroots reconnection via Bharat Jodo Yatra
Issue-based campaigns during crises
Leadership diversification under Mallikarjun Kharge

Persistent Challenges:

Organizational structure requires continuous attention
Message consistency across diverse constituencies
Regional variations in appeal and performance
Competition from strong regional parties

The party’s public relatability has clearly improved from its 2014 nadir, particularly during crisis periods when it effectively voiced public concerns. However, sustaining this connection while addressing organizational weaknesses remains the central challenge for Congress as it seeks to emerge as a credible national alternative.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_National_Congress_campaign_for_the_2014_Indian_general_election

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48855225

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/sonia-gandhi-reelected-congress-parliamentary-party-leader-194249-2014-05-24

https://www.lokniti.org/app/webroot/media/upload_files/The_Defeat_of_the_Congress.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahul_Gandhi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Gandhi

https://thediplomat.com/2015/10/indian-national-congress-a-party-in-crisis/

https://www.ndtv.com/elections-news/election-results-2014-congress-party-admits-defeat-but-shields-rahul-gandhi-from-blame-562237

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0PO8j_s3vc