New Delhi: An impressive performance that belied anti-incumbency sentiments in the assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh, will, analysts say, boost the morale of the Congress and, more importantly, vest party president Sonia Gandhi with crucial political capital required to deal with some restive state units and allies.
Some Congressmen expect Gandhi to use the opportunity to provide a fresh start to the government by backing a series of new policy initiatives, reorganizing the party and, eventually, reshaping the cabinet of ministers.
Loading Video...
Although the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance won easily in the general election earlier this year that it contested on the strength of the achievements of the Manmohan Singh-led government—he was projected as the party’s prime ministerial candidate well in advance—it has, since returning to power, lost momentum, largely because of what analysts term a series of political and policy missteps.
The revival of this momentum was evident soon after results were announced on Thursday. Within hours, the cabinet had set the stage for elections in Jharkhand and announced fresh sops for women and minorities, both key voter segments.
Weaker rivals
A fragmented Opposition helped the Congress win a clear majority in Arunachal Pradesh and come within striking distance of forming a government in the key states of Maharashtra and Haryana.
On a roll: Congress workers celebrate the party’s wins in the assembly polls in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh with fire crackers outside party president Sonia Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi. Subhav Shukla / PTI
In Maharashtra, the combine of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 144 seats in the 288-member assembly. In Haryana, it won 40 seats in the 90-member Haryana assembly. And it swept Arunachal Pradesh, winning 42 seats in the 60-member assembly.
Analysts and Congressmen credit the victories to the “pro-poor and pro-farmer” policies of the ruling coalition as well as a divided Opposition.
“Congress is on roll and is the only name in town. In Maharashtra, surprisingly, there was a lack of issues,” said Pratap Bhanu Mehta, president of Centre for Policy Research, a New Delhi-based think tank.
A buoyant Congressman said the results would be a big morale boost for the government. “It has strengthened the hands of Congress. The party will continue its pro-poor, pro-farmer policies that have won us votes,” Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad said.
Another Congressman, who declined to be identified, said, “This victory belongs to Congress as a party and its policies.”
Listen to B Venkatesh Kumar, a political science professor at Mumbai University, analyse the Maharashtra election verdict
Download here