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The Rajya Sabha polls have exposed the Congress faultlines, with the seniors raising questions over Rahul Gandhi’s tightening grip as the party heads into crucial elections
While the party will obviously shield Rahul Gandhi, the question is for how long. (AFP)
The Rajya Sabha polls may be done and dusted, but the hits and misses give an insight into what’s brewing in the Congress.
First, let’s begin with the denial of tickets. When Anurag Sharma was chosen from Himachal Pradesh as the Congress candidate, it left Anand Sharma sulking and upset. In fact, sources say he was waiting in Shimla and Kasauli, available to sign the nomination papers. But he never got the call. The impact of the snub was visible when the veteran leader said those who speak the truth have to pay the price.
Anand Sharma, once considered close to the Gandhi family, has now been largely left out, especially since the takeover of party affairs by Rahul Gandhi. He was also part of the infamous G-23 group, which could soon be revived. Anand Sharma had recently written a letter to Sonia Gandhi, complaining about the state of affairs in the party. However, it was hushed down.
Cut to the other G-23 member, who has once again proved that experience and seniority cannot be brushed aside. The fiercely fought Haryana Rajya Sabha polls, with Karamvir Singh Boudh emerging as the winner, once again proved that old is gold and Rahul Gandhi cannot dismiss the heft of the old guard. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, once a G-23 signatory, has delivered. Left out in the cold post the Haryana state polls, Bhupinder Hooda is now back in the reckoning. At the lunch hosted by him and his son Deepender Hooda, it was a full house, with the Gandhi siblings in attendance. Once in the saddle, Hooda Sr began Operation Himachal, where the Haryana MLAs were packed off to the Himalayan state to ensure they were not poached by the BJP. But will Hooda’s delivery melt the Congress top leadership, which often blows hot and cold towards him?
As the party heads to assembly polls, it needs all hands on deck. In Kerala, it was Priyanka Vadra who insisted that Shashi Tharoor be co-opted and that a temporary truce be established with the veteran leader. Though the party has decided to play it safe and not announce, nor hint at, a chief ministerial face, the simmering discontent cannot be missed.
But the problem is bigger and could flare up if the Congress doesn’t win polls anywhere. While the party will obviously shield Rahul Gandhi, the question is for how long. Will those who are senior and sidelined be ready for silence? It seems doubtful.
Sources tell CNN-News18 that a blueprint has been kept ready, which could be even more explosive than the G-23 club. There is a belief among the old guard that, over time, they could be eased out, and as Rahul Gandhi gets more adamant, his coterie will take charge. The choice of names for the Rajya Sabha is an indication—each name was vetted by Rahul Gandhi. Then, the obvious question will be raised by the seniors: if you take the call, then why not take the blame?
March 18, 2026, 10:04 IST
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