Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Why Congress Shows Unexpected Confidence?

Rahul Gandhi's Congress: A Surprising Show of Confidence for 2024 Elections

The Indian National Congress (INC), under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, has recently displayed a surprising surge in confidence, prompting speculation about the reasons behind this newfound assertiveness. Observers have noted Gandhi's increased aggression, particularly in the party's recent attacks on prominent industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, as well as its vocal criticism of alleged cash transactions in the automobile sector.

This resurgence in confidence comes at a time when the INC seemed to be grappling with a lack of self-assurance, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, ground reports from key states have apparently delivered unexpectedly positive news, prompting the party to reevaluate its prospects.

2024 Elections: Congress' Confident Gamble or Calculated Risk?

• In 2019, the party contested 421 seats and secured 52 victories.
• The 2014 elections marked a low point, with the INC winning only 44 seats out of 464 contested.
• The party's best performance in recent years was in 2009, when it secured 206 seats out of 440 contested.
• Notably, in the upcoming 2024 elections, the INC is contesting on its smallest-ever number of seats, with only 328 in its sights.

Despite this reduced electoral footprint, the INC seems more confident than ever. Analysts point to several key battleground states where the party believes it has a realistic chance of making significant gains.

In Karnataka, for instance, the party sees an opportunity to capitalize on the Prajwal Revanna issue, aiming for a substantial increase in its Lok Sabha seat tally compared to the dismal performance in 2019.

Uttar Pradesh, which witnessed a bipolar contest in 2019, is another focal point for the INC. With a strategic alliance with Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, the INC hopes to secure several seats, drawing inspiration from its past successes in the state.

Maharashtra presents a complex electoral landscape, but the INC is eyeing five seats amidst the chaos, banking on its presence in the region and the multi-cornered fight.

Analyzing Rahul Gandhi's Confidence for 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

In West Bengal, the INC is aiming to retain at least one seat despite conceding ground to its alliance partner, the Aam Aadmi Party, in several other states.

The party's strategy extends beyond traditional strongholds to encompass states like Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, where it hopes to significantly improve its performance through alliances and strategic candidate selections.

However, the INC's newfound confidence is not solely rooted in its own electoral prospects. Analysts suggest that the party is also assessing the BJP's position, recognizing that the saffron party may have reached saturation points in several states, limiting its potential for further gains.

Nevertheless, the INC's reliance on probabilities rather than a robust strategy of its own, as well as its maneuvering within the INDI Alliance, indicate a calculated gamble aimed at maximizing its bargaining power post-election.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unfold, all eyes will be on the Indian National Congress and its ability to translate this newfound confidence into electoral success.