New Delhi- In the complex political landscape of India, the Congress party's reliance on its veteran leaders has often been both its strength and its undoing. Bhupinder Hooda, Ashok Gehlot, and Kamal Nath, once hailed as the party's stalwarts, have played pivotal roles in shaping the fate of Congress in their respective states. However, their towering influence has also inadvertently strangled the party's fortunes, as their dominance led to internal dissent, flawed electoral strategies, and an inability to connect with a wider voter base.
The latest Haryana election results have crystallized a growing sentiment within the Congress party: the time has come for the veterans to step aside and make way for a new generation of leaders. Despite anti-incumbency and voter dissatisfaction with the ruling BJP, Congress could not capitalize, largely due to its over-reliance on Hooda’s leadership and his entrenched image as a leader primarily for the Jat community.
Hooda's grip over Haryana, Gehlot's long-standing reign in Rajasthan, and Kamal Nath's command in Madhya Pradesh have turned these regional strongmen into symbols of the party's old guard. While each of them once brought Congress significant victories, their insistence on centralizing power and marginalizing younger or dissenting voices within the party have cost Congress crucial electoral opportunities.
In the last few election cycles, their leadership styles—marked by factionalism, outdated strategies, and an over-reliance on personal legacy—have left the party struggling to keep pace with the evolving political dynamics. Instead of adapting to the changing aspirations of the electorate, Congress’s dependence on these veterans has not only stifled the rise of new leadership but also alienated a broad spectrum of voters, leading to consistent electoral setbacks.
Bhupinder Hooda, who served as Haryana’s Chief Minister from 2005 to 2014, was once considered the undisputed leader of the state's Congress party. His rise to power was both strategic and surprising. In 2005, Bhajan Lal, a heavyweight in Haryana’s politics, was widely expected to be the next CM, but the Congress high command chose Hooda, making him the chief minister instead. That year, Congress won 67 out of 90 seats, although Hooda wasn’t the face of the campaign. However, when the 2009 elections came around, Hooda's leadership was front and center, and despite five years in power, Congress’s seat tally dropped to 40. With the help of independent candidates, Hooda still managed to form a government.
By 2014, the tide had shifted significantly. Under Hooda’s leadership, Congress could only muster 15 seats, a crushing defeat that marked the party's worst performance in the state. Even in the 2019 elections, the party could only secure 31 seats, although it did manage to become the largest opposition party, positioning Hooda as the Leader of Opposition.
As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approached, Hooda’s influence within the state Congress was palpable. He played a pivotal role in the ticket distribution process, with most seats allocated according to his preferences. The party managed to win 5 out of 10 seats—an improvement over previous results. However, even this success came under scrutiny, with prominent Congress leader Kumari Selja suggesting that improper ticket allocation had cost the party more potential wins. Her statement was seen as a veiled criticism of Hooda’s choices.
In the lead-up to the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, Hooda tightened his grip on the state Congress machinery. The party had already appointed Udaybhan, a leader favored by Hooda, as the PCC chief. Of the 90 seats, Hooda reportedly influenced the ticket distribution for 72. He also spearheaded the entire campaign and made the critical decision to not form an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a choice that many believed was solely his.
However, this concentration of power in Hooda’s hands sent a clear message across the state: Congress had become overly reliant on a Jat leader. This perception alienated many non-Jat communities, who felt sidelined. Even within the party, discontent brewed. Leaders like Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala were reportedly unhappy with Hooda’s dominance and refrained from campaigning outside of their own constituencies.
As a result, Congress's electoral fortunes in 2024 didn’t fare much better. The party won just 37 seats, while the BJP secured 48, achieving a hat-trick of victories in the state. Hooda’s stronghold over the party, once seen as an asset, ultimately proved to be a double-edged sword, limiting Congress’s ability to appeal to a broader voter base and contributing to its continued electoral struggles.
Ashok Gehlot, often referred to as the "Magician of Politics," was considered Congress's crisis manager. His political journey in Rajasthan is marked by highs and lows, underscoring both his strengths and limitations. Gehlot first became the Chief Minister of Rajasthan in 1998, though the election wasn’t fought with him as the face. Congress secured a sweeping victory, winning 173 out of 200 seats. However, five years later, in the 2003 elections, when the party contested on Gehlot's governance, Congress was drastically reduced to just 56 seats, paving the way for BJP’s Vasundhara Raje to take over as Chief Minister with 120 seats.
In 2008, Congress, under the leadership of PCC Chief CP Joshi, won 96 seats and formed a government with the support of independents. It was expected that Joshi would become the Chief Minister, but he lost the Nathdwara seat by just one vote. The leadership baton once again fell into Gehlot's hands. By 2013, when Congress fought the elections with Gehlot as their face, the party saw its worst-ever performance, winning a meager 21 seats while the BJP secured a landslide victory with 163 seats.
In 2018, the Congress, led by PCC Chief Sachin Pilot, managed to win 99 seats. With the support of independents, Congress formed the government once again. However, instead of Pilot, Gehlot was given the reins of power. This caused tension within the party, leading to Pilot's rebellion in 2020. But, true to his reputation as a crisis manager, Gehlot handled the situation and the crisis was averted.
In 2022, the Congress central leadership sought to elevate Ashok Gehlot to the position of national president and replace him as Rajasthan’s Chief Minister. However, this carefully laid plan unraveled due to a rebellion by Gehlot’s loyal MLAs, a move widely perceived to have been orchestrated by Gehlot himself to thwart Sachin Pilot from ascending to the chief ministerial post. This internal power struggle deepened the rift within the party, and as the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections loomed, Congress found itself battling not just its political rivals but also its internal discord.
Despite the turmoil, Congress entered the elections with unwavering confidence, hinging its campaign on Gehlot’s welfare schemes, which were touted as transformative for the state. Gehlot held significant sway, with most of the tickets distributed according to his preferences. The party projected a strong return to power, buoyed by its belief in the success of these initiatives. Yet, the results told a different story. Congress managed to secure only 70 seats, a stark contrast to its lofty expectations, and once again found itself relegated to the opposition. Gehlot's highly publicized social security schemes, which he was certain would resonate with voters, ultimately fell flat, failing to translate into electoral success. This miscalculation further tarnished his reputation as a seasoned political strategist.
As if the blow from the state elections wasn’t enough, Gehlot faced an even greater setback ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His son, Vaibhav Gehlot, suffered a humiliating defeat in Jalore-Sirohi, a result that sent shockwaves through Congress and underscored the waning influence of the Gehlot dynasty. The defeat added to the growing perception that Ashok Gehlot’s once-formidable political magic was fading, leaving the party to grapple with the consequences of its over-reliance on his leadership.
The outcome of the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections was equally startling. During the Haryana elections, Prime Minister Modi frequently alluded to Madhya Pradesh, warning that Congress would face a similar fate in Haryana. To understand this reference, it's essential to revisit the events of 2018. In that year’s Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, Congress emerged victorious, but internal dynamics soon came into play. Jyotiraditya Scindia, a rising star in the party, had ambitions for the Chief Minister’s seat. However, the party leadership favored the experienced Kamal Nath, placing their trust in the old guard.
By March 2020, Scindia had rebelled, leading a faction of MLAs to defect to the BJP, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of Kamal Nath’s government. Fast forward to the 2023 elections, Kamal Nath remained at the helm as the PCC Chief. With exit polls suggesting a favorable outcome for Congress, the party leadership granted him full autonomy—he personally selected candidates and crafted the campaign strategy. It seemed Kamal Nath had taken center stage, with the central leadership receding into the background.
Yet, the results proved disastrous for Congress. The BJP secured a landslide victory, winning 163 seats, while Congress managed only 66. The weight of the defeat fell squarely on Kamal Nath’s shoulders, prompting the party to demand his resignation as PCC Chief. Speculation soon emerged that Kamal Nath might defect to the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, further tarnishing his standing within the party. To add insult to injury, his son Nakul Nath suffered a bitter defeat in Chhindwara, a once-stronghold, deepening the family's political misfortunes.
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