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Congress to Contest Fewest Seats in History: A Shift in Strategy
In a surprising move, Congress is set to contest only 255 out of the total Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections, marking its lowest participation since India gained independence in 1947. This significant reduction from its historical average of over 450 seats reflects a strategic shift for the party.
The decision comes amidst Congress's diminishing popularity in recent electoral politics. In an effort to form a formidable alliance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress is joining hands with the opposition INDIA bloc, which comprises 27 parties.
Historically, Congress has contested in well above 450 seats on average out of the total 545 seats in the Lok Sabha. The party's lowest participation was in 2004, with 417 seats, while the highest was in 1996, contesting in 529 seats after the five-year governance of PV Narasimha Rao.
The decline in Congress's electoral success began with the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came into power, sidelining the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress contested in 464 and 421 seats, respectively.
In contrast, the BJP, despite winning only two seats in its debut year of 1984, has consistently contested in over 300 seats since 1991 and now holds over 290 seats in the Indian Parliament.
Congress's reported plan to contest only 255 seats in the upcoming polls signals a willingness to compromise and collaborate with the INDIA bloc. This move, seen as a step toward inclusivity, may help address previous accusations of high-handedness and reluctance to accommodate other parties.
The opposition INDIA bloc's report card from the 2019 elections indicates that a united front can be formidable. In that election, an undivided Shiv Sena contested the most seats, followed by CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress. However, the party with the most wins was MK Stalin's DMK from Tamil Nadu.
As India's political landscape undergoes significant changes, Congress's decision to contest fewer seats hints at a strategic approach to stay relevant and foster stronger alliances in the upcoming elections. This move could potentially reshape the dynamics of the political arena, setting the stage for a compelling electoral showdown.
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