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The Indian National Congress, once a dominant force in Indian politics, finds itself grappling with a persistent pattern of self-inflicted wounds: the formation of numerous committees following electoral defeats, with little to no concrete action resulting from their recommendations. This article delves into the cyclical nature of this approach, analyzing the numerous committees formed over the years and the overarching lack of meaningful change within the party's structure and strategy. The recent Maharashtra election loss, like many before it, has prompted the formation of yet another internal committee to investigate the reasons for the debacle. This action, while seemingly proactive, highlights a deeper systemic problem: a reliance on committee formation as a superficial response to fundamental issues, masking a lack of political will or effective internal mechanisms for reform.
The article meticulously documents a history of such committees, starting with the Empowered Action Group (EAG) established in 2022 under Sonia Gandhi's interim presidency. This high-profile group, ostensibly tasked with addressing the party's challenges ahead of the 2024 elections, seemingly failed to meet or produce a substantive strategy. Similarly, numerous other committees, addressing diverse issues ranging from organizational structure to economic policy, have been established and subsequently rendered inactive. These include consultative groups, special committees assisting the party president, and panels focused on specific electoral defeats. The sheer number of these committees, their overlapping mandates, and the lack of publicly available information regarding their findings and implemented recommendations point to a deeply ingrained organizational dysfunction.
The common thread weaving through the various committees highlighted in the article is the lack of accountability and follow-up action. While reports are submitted, often containing insightful analysis and proposed reforms, they frequently gather dust on the shelves of 24, Akbar Road, the Congress headquarters. This inaction undermines the purpose of these committees and erodes the credibility of the party's internal processes. The article highlights several examples of such recommendations, ranging from proposals for streamlining organizational elections to adopting a more proactive election strategy, which have been ignored or shelved despite their potential to strengthen the party's position.
The article's core argument rests on the observation that the Congress's reliance on committee formation serves as a convenient, yet ultimately ineffective, coping mechanism. By establishing committees, the party appears to be addressing its problems, deflecting criticism and avoiding the difficult task of enacting meaningful internal reforms. This cycle of inaction perpetuates a vicious circle, with repeated electoral defeats leading to more committees, more reports, and ultimately, more of the same. The lack of accountability for the failure of past committees further exacerbates the problem, creating an environment where the formation of committees becomes a substitute for real action.
The article draws a parallel between the Congress's actions and the French proverb, “plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose,” – the more things change, the more they remain the same. This perfectly encapsulates the party's predicament. Despite the numerous reports, internal reviews, and committee formations, the underlying problems – including a lack of internal democracy, ineffective candidate selection processes, and a failure to adapt to changing political landscapes – persist. The continued reliance on the same ineffective strategies strongly suggests a lack of political will for genuine reform within the Congress party.
The concluding paragraphs of the article underscore the disheartening reality that the Congress continues to repeat past mistakes. Despite years of recommendations advocating for changes in organizational structure, candidate selection processes, and election strategies, these recommendations have largely been ignored. This lack of follow-through highlights a deeper malaise within the party, suggesting a resistance to change and a failure to learn from past experiences. The article ends with a poignant observation, leaving the reader to contemplate the future of the Congress party and the continued impact of its recurring reliance on ineffective committee structures.
Source: Congress’ Go-To Solution: When In Doubt, Form A Committee - News18