The Congress party appears to be grappling with internal discord across four crucial poll-bound states—Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal—amid leadership tensions, alliance uncertainties and public disagreements among senior leaders.
From friction within its alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu to the brief resignation drama involving Assam leader Bhupen Kumar Borah, and controversial remarks by veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar in Kerala, the party’s electoral preparations appear overshadowed by internal turbulence.
At the national level, both Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) are constituents of the broader opposition INDIA alliance. However, that coordination has yet to translate into cohesive state-level strategies in several battlegrounds.
Kerala: Aiyar’s Remarks Stir Controversy
In a development that left the party red-faced, Mani Shankar Aiyar publicly predicted that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would return to power for a third consecutive term in the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking at the Vision 2031 International Conference on Democracy and Development, Aiyar praised the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s panchayati raj model.
“In the presence of the Chief Minister, who I am sure will be the next Chief Minister, I renew my plea to reinforce Kerala as the best Panchayati Raj state in the country,” Aiyar said.
Vijayan welcomed the remarks on social media, stating that strengthening local bodies remains central to democratic growth.
The Congress, which leads the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, swiftly distanced itself from Aiyar’s comments. Senior leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh clarified that Aiyar was speaking in a personal capacity and reiterated confidence in the UDF’s prospects of returning to power.
Aiyar later added that while he wanted Congress to win, he did not believe it would, remarking that internal rivalries weakened the party. He also criticised Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, alleging that the senior leader harboured ambitions of becoming India’s next foreign minister.
Assam: Leadership Turbulence
In Assam, former state unit chief Bhupen Kumar Borah tendered his resignation ahead of the Assembly polls, reportedly citing dissatisfaction with the party’s functioning and alleging that he was sidelined within the organisation. Sources indicated that Borah had written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi outlining his grievances.
Borah, who has spent over three decades in the party, described his decision as one driven by concern for Congress’s future rather than personal considerations. However, by afternoon, the Assam Congress claimed that he had withdrawn his resignation, suggesting internal negotiations were underway.
The episode comes at a sensitive time, just days before Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s scheduled visit to the state.
Tamil Nadu: Strains Within the DMK Alliance
In Tamil Nadu, tensions between Congress and its ally DMK have surfaced publicly over power-sharing arrangements. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has reportedly ruled out any formal power-sharing structure, fuelling unease within Congress ranks.
Some Congress leaders have even hinted at exploring alternative political alignments, including potential engagement with actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Public exchanges between leaders of both parties have underscored growing friction within the alliance.
West Bengal: Going Solo?
In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ruled out a formal pre-poll alliance with Congress for the 2026 Assembly elections, reaffirming that the TMC will contest independently.
Separately, Congress’s central leadership has reportedly decided to contest all 294 Assembly seats in the state, signalling a departure from earlier coalition patterns.
A Broader Leadership Debate
Adding to the narrative of internal unease, BJP national spokesperson Pradip Bhandari publicly criticised Congress leadership, citing Aiyar’s remarks and internal dissent as evidence of a party struggling with cohesion.
As elections approach across multiple states, the Congress faces the challenge of projecting unity and strategic clarity. Whether the party can resolve internal differences and stabilise alliances will likely prove decisive in shaping its electoral fortunes in these key battlegrounds.
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