Paromita Das
New Delhi: The Indian National Congress, once the formidable powerhouse of Bharatiya politics, now teeters on the edge of irrelevance—not just due to external adversaries, but increasingly due to self-inflicted wounds. At the heart of this decline lies the leadership of the Gandhi dynasty, whose political decisions (or indecisions) are being widely interpreted as tone-deaf, out-of-touch, and politically immature. The recent controversy surrounding Priyanka Gandhi’s absence during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is not an isolated lapse. Instead, it exemplifies a pattern of missteps that are costing the Congress party both credibility and core support.
The Waqf Bill Debacle and the Blowback
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s conspicuous absence during the parliamentary debate on the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill struck a deep chord, particularly in her constituency of Wayanad—a region with a significant Muslim population. The reaction was swift and scathing, not from traditional BJP-aligned critics, but from an entity that symbolically represents the very voter base the Congress has courted for decades. Suprabhaatham, a Malayalam daily affiliated with the powerful Muslim organisation Samastha Kerala Jemiyyathul Ulama, minced no words in calling her no-show a “blot” on her record.
This was not merely about parliamentary attendance. It was about presence, symbolism, and commitment—especially during a moment that many in the Muslim community viewed as an existential test of their political relevance and religious autonomy. Her failure to stand visibly with her constituents and speak up during the debate felt, to many, like a betrayal.
Cracks in the Old Alliance
The Congress party’s decades-long reliance on Muslim support was rooted in a calculated strategy of representation and appeasement, often walking a tightrope between secular advocacy and communal outreach. This balancing act, although controversial, formed the backbone of their electoral strategy in key states. However, the absence of Priyanka—and the silence of her brother Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition—during a watershed legislative moment shattered that delicate equilibrium.
The editorial in Suprabhaatham went beyond disappointment. It expressed a sense of abandonment, accusing Rahul Gandhi of political cowardice for not addressing the bill. While the paper commended the effort of other opposition parties like the DMK in resisting the bill, it openly questioned the sincerity of the Congress leadership’s commitment to defending constitutional secularism.
For a party whose legacy was built on inclusive politics and moral high ground, such a public rebuke from a long-standing ally underscores just how far the Congress has drifted from its roots—and how politically tone-deaf its current leadership has become.
A Dynasty in Decline
This episode is not a standalone embarrassment but part of a growing pattern that showcases the political immaturity of the Gandhi scions. Leadership in modern Bharatiya politics requires more than symbolic gestures or curated appearances; it demands tactical agility, emotional intelligence, and unwavering commitment to key constituencies. Both Priyanka and Rahul have repeatedly faltered in these areas.
The optics of inaction during the Waqf Bill debate have deepened the perception that the Gandhi siblings are either unwilling or unable to fully grasp the stakes of Bharatiya politics in 2025. It suggests a brand of leadership that is reactive rather than proactive, and performative rather than substantive.
This perception is not limited to ideological adversaries. It’s now festering within the very ecosystem that Congress painstakingly nurtured over the decades—the intellectuals, regional allies, and religious minorities who once viewed the Congress as a secular bulwark.
From Legacy to Liability?
It’s tragic that a party synonymous with Bharat’s freedom struggle now finds itself ridiculed by the very communities it once championed. The Gandhi dynasty, once viewed as torchbearers of Nehruvian secularism and democratic integrity, has now become emblematic of political absenteeism and detachment.
What makes this downfall even more disheartening is the stubborn refusal to introspect. The Congress party continues to cling to the Gandhi surname as a political crutch rather than developing a new generation of capable, grounded leaders. The loyalty demanded by the dynasty is increasingly unreciprocated by the electorate—and even more glaringly, by its traditional allies.
Priyanka Gandhi’s lapse is more than a missed parliamentary session—it’s symbolic of the disconnect between Congress leadership and the political realities on the ground. Her absence, Rahul Gandhi’s silence, and the party’s lackluster performance on one of the most sensitive legislative matters reveal a party adrift, steered by leaders who appear to lack both conviction and clarity.
A Future in Freefall?
The Gandhi dynasty’s political future now hangs by a thread. What was once perceived as the moral compass of Bharatiya politics now resembles a ship without a captain. If the Congress continues down this path of political insensitivity and strategic immaturity, the very foundations of its national relevance will continue to erode.
For a party desperate to reclaim its place in Bharatiya politics, it must urgently recognize that emotional connect, policy clarity, and active leadership are non-negotiables. The days of banking on dynasty and nostalgia are over. The Bharatiya voter, and even the Congress party’s core ideological supporters, are watching—and they are growing impatient.
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