Playing on backfoot, Congress is hoping 'less is more' in this year's election battle
Lok Sabha elections. The party's decision, announced recently, draws parallels with its tactics in 2004 when it prioritized alliances over individual contests, leading to the removal of the BJP-led NDA from power. With hopes pinned on history repeating itself after 20 years, Congress is gearing up for a calculated electoral maneuver.
In the upcoming 2024 elections, Congress is expected to contest approximately 330 seats, a notable decline from its 2004 tally of 417 seats, marking its lowest count to date. The party's spokesperson, Jairam Ramesh, attributed this reduction to the accommodation of partners within the INDIA bloc, particularly in states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. These alliances have prompted Congress to scale back its presence in these states compared to previous elections, aligning with the NCP-Shiv Sena, Left, and Samajwadi Party.
«The situation in 2004 mirrors that of 2024. We deliberately opted for fewer seats in these crucial states to forge strong alliances. Congress and the INDIA bloc anticipate a decisive mandate in these elections, without the need for additional parties or wavering allies from the NDA,» Ramesh said. He further suggested that this strategy could influence regional parties in the North-East to align with Congress, shifting away from the BJP.
However, beyond Congress's assertions, the decline in contested seats reflects its diminished political influence since 2014, alongside the ascendance of the BJP under Narendra Modi. Over the past decade, Congress
