Why Congress Leaders Are Leaving: Inside the Party’s Deepening Leadership and Cadre Crisis

The Congress party’s long-simmering internal crisis has once again come into sharp focus after former Odisha MLA Mohammed Moquim wrote to senior leader Sonia Gandhi, urging what he described as an “open-heart surgery” to revive the organisation. His letter has reignited debate over the growing disconnect between the party’s central leadership and its grassroots workers.

The issue is not new. Similar grievances surfaced ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, where disagreements during seat-sharing negotiations exposed fractures between the leadership and state-level workers. Over the past decade, such discontent has repeatedly translated into resignations, rebellion and electoral setbacks.

From Dominance to Decline

Founded in 1885, the Congress once thrived as a broad-based political platform accommodating diverse ideologies. After Independence, under Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership, the party dominated Indian politics for decades, benefiting from strong public support and a committed cadre.

However, the turning point came in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Corruption allegations, anti-incumbency after a decade in power, leadership uncertainty and the emergence of the “Modi wave” culminated in a crushing defeat. Since then, the party has struggled to regain momentum.

Electoral Losses and Worker Disillusionment

Despite showing signs of recovery in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress soon lost ground in subsequent Assembly polls. The party suffered major setbacks in Maharashtra, Bihar, Haryana and Delhi, while its modest gains in Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand came as a junior coalition partner.

Moquim, in his December 8 letter, highlighted six consecutive Assembly defeats in Odisha and questioned the party’s leadership choices, including the elevation of Mallikarjun Kharge, arguing that the leadership was failing to connect with younger voters. He also said he had not been granted an audience with Rahul Gandhi for nearly three years, a complaint echoed by several former leaders who later quit the party.

Exodus of Senior Leaders

The list of leaders who left the Congress after raising similar concerns includes Himanta Biswa Sarma, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jitin Prasada. Their exits underscore a pattern of dissatisfaction with decision-making processes and leadership accessibility.

Alliance Complications

The Congress’s struggles have been compounded by uneasy alliances. Many regional parties aligned with it were either born out of splits from the Congress or built on anti-Congress sentiment. Friction within alliances — such as with the National Conference in Jammu & Kashmir and the Aam Aadmi Party within the INDIA bloc — has often left party workers confused on the ground.

High Command Dilemma

The party’s central leadership is frequently criticised for indecision during state-level power struggles. Prolonged leadership tussles in Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh weakened the organisation and contributed to electoral defeats.

In Rajasthan, for instance, the decision to back veteran Ashok Gehlot over younger leader Sachin Pilot led to internal discontent and ultimately failed to prevent the party from losing power.

Multiple Power Centres

Former MP Sanjay Nirupam, who was expelled in 2024, alleged that the Congress now functions with multiple power centres, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal. According to him, competing lobbies have left ordinary party workers feeling sidelined and demoralised.

Rahul Gandhi’s Waning Influence

Rahul Gandhi’s inability to make a decisive impact during recent state elections, including Bihar, has further fuelled criticism. His late campaign entry, limited presence on the ground and internal ticket disputes weakened the party’s performance, making it the weakest link within its alliance.

Road Ahead

As the Congress braces for crucial elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry next year, the challenge is no longer just electoral victory. The bigger question is whether the party can address its leadership crisis, rebuild trust among workers and adapt to the realities of contemporary Indian politics before it loses further ground.