We must take lessons from Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir as we prepare to fight the upcoming states.

The results in the recently concluded Assembly elections are disappointing to say the least. The people of Haryana were fed up with the BJP’s misrule. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were tired of the BJP’s proxy rule. The people of both states were touched by Rahul Ji’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and had sympathy for the Congress in their hearts. Both states were ripe for a very good performance by the Congress. And yet we failed to form a government in Haryana and did well short of our potential in Jammu and Kashmir. We must learn lessons from these performances as we prepare for the crucial elections coming up in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

There is no doubt that the government machinery and the election apparatus have a lot to answer for. Many questions raised by the Party are unanswered. But we must not ignore our own role in the outcome. The voices of the workers on the ground suggest that our over-confidence and lack of a united show by the senior leaders cost us the votes that eventually cost us the election. Our leaders must remember that no one wins if the Congress loses. It is our hope that the leaders of Maharashtra and Jharkhand take these lessons into account. They must listen to the workers, give due space to those who have served the organization loyally, present a united face to the World and at all times remain humble in their dealings with workers and the people. If we manage this, there is no doubt that we will have a bumper result in both the states. For the sake of the Party, the Constitution and the people of the Country, this is a chance we must allow to slip through our fingers.

Jai Congress. Jai Hind. Jai Jagat.