Kharge: The leader who can boast of making south India ‘BJP mukt’ now
A leader who never wants to lose and still remains upset about lone defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Kharge was the man with a broad smile on Saturday as his home state gave a huge push to the party which he now leads and can boast of making south India “BJP-mukt” at least for the time being.
Unity, meticulous campaign behind Congress’s impressive performance in Karnataka
While containing rebels within, the Congress lost no time in projecting the BJP as a house in disarray – with leaders like Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi rising in rebellion along with others. It lost no time in attracting rebels as well as closing doors on them as in some cases, including those of BJP ministers, as it could not provide the seats they demanded.
Karnataka assembly election win strengthens Congress's position as head of Opposition
Karnataka win alone would put the Congress or the Opposition on a pedestal. This could give a further fillip to their efforts in the three big north Indian states where the Congress is in a direct fight with the BJP and could even win like it did five years ago.
Key takeaways from Karnataka election result 2023
The impressive performance by the Congress is credited to an unusually united fight for the party’s standards, its concentration on local issues, and the last minute off-script moves like calling for banning Bajrang Dal and a meticulous campaign reaching out to households.
Focus on local issues pays, but Congress yet to crack a national strategy
The grand old party will have to face the semi-finals in November-December, and then the grand finale in April-May 2024. The five states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram are going to polls later this year. Along with Karnataka, these states are expected to set the tone for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Read more
As lotus withers in South India, Congress finds a silver lining
While the Congress has been losing its strength across India, the result comes as a silver lining for the grand old party, as it is only its third win in 16 Assembly elections in a little over two years. Despite personal differences among state leaders, the party pulled off magic in almost all regions of Karnataka, riding on the anti-incumbency factor that had reached a tipping point. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself took charge of the poll campaign in the ending phases, but even the famed ‘Modi magic’ failed to reinvigorate voters for a favourable decision.
Mallikarjun Kharge shines in Congress victory in Karnataka
The AICC chief did not step out of his home state for 26 days, since Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14. Party officials had reported that they’d often see the octogenarian work late into the nights. Kharge, a seasoned campaigner, led from the front embarking upon back-breaking tours and endless strategy sessions.
Lessons for BJP from defeat in Karnataka
The Karnataka debacle is also a message for Modi to walk the talk of ‘Na Khaoonga, Na Khane Doonga’. The BJP tried to brazen out corruption and condoned the ineptitude of the Basavaraj Bommai administration due to its inner compulsions for neutralising Yeddyurappa’s clout, while retaining its traditional voter base, especially among the Lingayats. A classic case of you can’t have a cake and eat it too.