Rahul Gandhi sets eyes on Bengal, Congress to challenge Trinamool after AAP’s Delhi defeat

After taking on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, the Congress has now set its sights on Bengal, preparing for a direct political confrontation with the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Rahul Gandhi, who has long believed in the "Ekla Chalo Re" approach—where Congress stands independently—now finds himself compelled to navigate coalition politics to stay politically relevant.

Rahul Gandhi, who entered active politics in 2004 as the in-charge of youth affairs, was initially hesitant about alliances. Unlike his mother Sonia Gandhi, who had formed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), he believed Congress would grow stronger if it fought alone. However, the 2024 Lok Sabha election results forced a reassessment. With defeats in Haryana and Maharashtra, and a weakening presence in several states, he realized that survival against the BJP required strategic alliances.

The Congress’s latest move comes after AAP’s loss in the Delhi Assembly elections, where allies like the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the National Conference (NC) blamed Congress for the poor performance. Now, the party is determined to challenge another All India Alliance partner—Trinamool Congress in Bengal. Sources indicate that Rahul Gandhi has approved a ‘padayatra’ (foot march) in the state, while the Congress unit in Bengal, which has been struggling, has been directed to mobilize support.

Congress currently holds no parliamentary seat in Bengal, with its last strongman in the state, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, losing his election. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has consistently sidelined Congress and insists on being the face of the INDIA Bloc, further straining ties. Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming visit to Bengal after the Parliament session is expected to reassure Congress workers that the party remains committed to challenging Mamata’s dominance.

Party insiders feel that continued losses in state elections could weaken Congress’s position at the national level. If the party is unable to retain its regional influence, it risks losing its status as a formidable alternative to the BJP. While Congress leaders maintain that taking on allies at the state level does not mean the INDIA alliance is over, political observers see it as a sign of deeper ambitions that may lead to tensions within the coalition.

Despite his earlier conviction that Congress should stand alone—even at the cost of electoral losses—Rahul Gandhi now appears willing to compromise for the larger goal of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whether this strategy will revive the Congress or further fracture the opposition remains to be seen.