Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi's smiles on June 4, 2024, belied the harsh reality of the Congress party's third-worst performance in parliamentary elections. Winning only 99 seats, the party failed to cross the three-figure mark for the third consecutive time. While the BJP's tally dropped from 303 to 240, it still secured a third term in power. The Congress's modest gain from 52 to 99 seats seemed to be the only consolation, earning Rahul Gandhi the post of the Leader of Opposition.

However, this surge masked the party's dismal state assembly results. In Andhra Pradesh, Congress drew a blank, yet again, while in Arunachal Pradesh, it managed just one seat. Sikkim saw its fourth consecutive zero, and in Odisha, the BJP ousted the BJD, leaving Congress with a mere 14 seats. The trend continued in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi, where the party's performance remained lacklustre, failing to regain relevance.

The Congress' fleeting optimism was overshadowed by its inability to address systemic issues. If these dismal shows reflect its struggle to connect with voters, bigger challenges lie ahead as half a dozen states are set to go to polls over the next 14 months. While Bihar is set to elect its new legislative assembly in October-November this year, polls in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry will follow in........

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