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The recent Delhi Assembly election results delivered a stark reality for the Indian National Congress party: a complete shutout, securing zero seats. While this outcome might seem disastrous at first glance, a deeper analysis reveals a nuanced picture, suggesting a strategic shift within the party. The article frames the zero-seat victory as a strategic decision, a conscious choice to follow a policy of 'Ekla Cholo'—meaning 'walk alone' in Bengali. This strategy, employed in previous elections in Haryana and West Bengal, reflects a conscious effort by the Congress to rebuild its strength from the ground up, focusing on internal growth rather than reliance on alliances that may dilute their identity and message. The argument presented is that while the immediate results are disheartening, the increased voter share from 4.3% in 2020 to 6.39% in 2025 indicates a positive trend, demonstrating that the party's message is resonating with a growing segment of the electorate, even without the benefits of coalition politics.
The decision to go it alone is presented not as a sign of weakness, but as a strategic move aimed at long-term growth. The article uses the analogy of climbing out of a ditch—the only way to rise is through one's own efforts. The Congress's rationale for rejecting alliances, particularly with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is explained. The party maintains that it is not their responsibility to ensure the AAP's victory, and that their focus must be on strengthening their own position and appeal to voters. The article highlights an instance where Congress votes in the New Delhi constituency directly impacted the outcome, showing that their presence still matters even without winning seats. This example serves to bolster the argument that even in defeat, the Congress is making progress and building a stronger foundation for future elections. This is supported by referencing electoral performances in other states where the Congress fought alone and witnessed an increase in vote share, even if not always reflected in the number of seats won. The instances highlighted include Haryana where vote share increased from 28% in 2019 to 40% in 2024, and Telangana where the vote share jumped from 28.7% in 2018 to 40% in 2023. These examples are used to demonstrate that the ‘Ekla Cholo’ strategy may be bearing fruit in the long run.
Furthermore, the article emphasizes the broader strategic implications of the Congress's 'Ekla Cholo' approach. By choosing to stand alone, the party avoids the compromises inherent in coalition politics, allowing it to maintain a consistent and distinctive identity. The article points to the difficulty of working with alliance partners who often compete for the same voter base – the non-BJP vote. The party is actively trying to reclaim the support of Dalits and OBCs, evidenced by its success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Assam where the party chose not to ally with AIUDF. This decision not only solidified the party's position within a key constituency but also increased the vote share. This success serves to reinforce the legitimacy and effectiveness of the ‘Ekla Cholo’ strategy. The article concludes by reiterating that while the Delhi Assembly election results may seem discouraging on the surface, they represent a crucial stage in the Congress's long-term rebuilding process. The party is focusing on internal strength and voter base expansion rather than short-term gains from alliances. The increased vote share despite the lack of seats is posited as a sign of progress, suggesting that the ‘Ekla Cholo’ strategy, though challenging, holds promise for the future.
The article's overall message is one of cautious optimism. It acknowledges the difficulties and challenges the Congress faces, but it also emphasizes the potential benefits of their chosen strategy. The 'Ekla Cholo' path is framed as a long and arduous journey, but one that is ultimately necessary for the party's revitalization and long-term success. The increase in voter share, despite the lack of seats, is presented as a key metric of success, suggesting that the party is making headway in re-establishing its connection with the electorate. The article subtly counters the immediate narrative of defeat by highlighting the long-term strategic gains the party might eventually see. It uses examples from other states to build a case for the party's overall strategy, demonstrating that the 'Ekla Cholo' approach, while demanding, has the potential to yield considerable results.
Source: Where Congress should find solace in its Delhi loss, and ekla cholo