Has Rahul Gandhi written the - epitaph for the Congress?

The much awaited results of the 2019 Loksabha election are out. The BJP has recorded a resounding victory. It has even bettered its own record of 2014. The enormity of the victory is such that it has dumbfounded even its own conservative analysts /poll pundits.

The moot point to be discussed here is more of opposition's failure rather than Modi's performance. The disparate and splintered opposition parties could not convince the voter of their commitment to come together and carry on the business of governance. This was very crucial simply because Congress's revival was considered a task of a tall order. Also congress failed to see the writing on the wall. It was in a wishful thinking that Modi's non keeping of his poll promises and his misdemeanor of demonetiization, GST etc would sail them through. What it also failed to appreciate is the fact that Modi provided a scandal free regime unlike them. The opposition, the
congress included really failed to match the fire power, the lung power and the muscle power of the BJP. They were clearly a distant second. And in organizational preparedness they were no match to the well oiled BJPs party cadres. One of the plus points that BJP had, was the RSS, its mentor, guide and philosopher. It had always guided, corrected and channelised the enormous resources of BJP - men, material and money to optimum levels. The opposition at no point of time sat up and took notice of how destructive the Modi and Shah combination could be to their survival. They couldn't do because they were in complete disarray and spent time in wishful thinking. Rahul Gandhi though he made some noices here and there, was drowned in the crescendo of the Modi and his ever ready brigade of enthusiast party cadres.

What many including the opposition could not really saw is the subtle undercurrent of a pro hindutva desire that was in hibernating status. The Pulwama and Balakot incidents were the real trigger for this undercurrent to manifest to the mainstream. This is the watershed moment in the entire election campaign which was vicious, vitriolic and without discussing the real issues confronting the common man. Many times it degenerated to personal and derogatory.

This victory has enhanced the responsibility of the government to be more responsible, fair and judicious to all sections of the society.

Perhaps Rahul Gandhi would have now realized that Modi as a rival is too intimidating and overwhelming for him. Probably this is the reason why he has reportedly offered to step down. Congress lost the game long ago when they sent Pranab Mukherjee to the Raisina hills. Instead they would have done well by projecting him as the Prime ministerial candidate. This would have atleast increased its longevity. Hoisting a novice on the grand old party, a party full of seniors and most experienced politicians and not looking outside the Gandhi family for leadership, congress committed a blunder and it is too late to undo the damage.