"Waqf isn't there in several Islamic nations like Indonesia, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria, so why is it here in India?
If we talk about India, then do Sikhs, Parsis and Christians have such powers?"," BJP lawmaker Sudhanshu Trivedi said in Rajya Sabha during the debate on the Bill.
This highlights Muslim appeasement of the Congress and perhaps single biggest reason why Congress is where it is found today.
Paradox about Indian politics is such that there is some kind of commonality between the Congress and the BJP.
If one is asked, can Congress pose a serious challenge to Narendra Modi or the BJP? The obvious answer is: No. But what immediately goes to suit both the BJP and the Congress is that --- no one else can.
The Congress is now battling not for protecting India's democracy and Sickularism. It has to struggle every inch to keep itself relevant and floating. The grand old party does not have organisational strength, nor an inspiring leader and even an effective political dialogue and right narratives pull the heartstrings.
But in last few months - since Rahul Gandhi's hat-trick in defeat; it has ensured three berths in Indian Parliament for the first family -Sonia Gandhi in Rajya Sabha and her two dotting children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandh Vadra in Lok Sabha.
But look at the Waqf Bill debate neither of the three spoke. Rahul is Leader of the Opposition and his sister Priyanka represents Wayanad parliamentary seat - a hub of sizable Muslims.
Taking on the BJP and the NDA under Modi is totally different form 2004 when the Congress could take on the election managers of BJP under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani.
Team Namo is totally different and ruthless.
Coming back to the debate in Rajya Sabha on Waqf Bill; BJP MP Trivedi dismissed the opposition's argument that Hindus can also donate to Waqf.
He questioned the logic behind this claim, stating that if Islam does not accept prayers from non-Muslims, how can it accept donations from Hindus?
"The government has supported poor and honest Muslims, while some opportunistic leaders have tried to mislead the country." He further said that poor and Pasmanda Muslims would appreciate the government's efforts once the Waqf Bill is passed, describing it as a ray of hope for honest and sincere Muslims.
"... We have given this Bill- ‘UMEED’ name but some people dreamt of ‘UMAH’. ‘UMAH’ means an entire Islamic nation. People who wanted ‘UMEED’ are seeing the ray of hope, however, those who wanted ‘UMAH’ can be seen disappointed," he said.
The story of Congress decline can be also assessed on the basis of onetime die-hard Congress leaders.
A few years back, the Congress also lost Junior Scindia, who is now comfortable being Narendra Modi's Minister handling important portfolios of Communication and DoNER.
However, the political takeaway in the big picture scenario is something more deep and of much more significance.
Congress often plays the Dalit card. In Punjab by making a Dalit Chief Minister in India’s agri-rich food bowl province, the Congress leadership had given a bigger message to the vast Dalit community across the nation. But it did not work well in Punjab itself.
An estimated 17 per cent of Indians are Dalits and these include Sikhs as well. There are sizable Christian population, who also want social and community recognition as 'Dalit Christians'. In Indian politics there is also something called ‘soul of the Congress party’. That soul could be yearning for the uplift of Dalits and other deprived sections. But when it comes to voting, the Dalits rarely support and trust Congress these days.
In 2021-22, the Congress was working to a plan and thus made a nationwide attempt to win back Dalits which for multiple reasons deserted the party in last 2-3 decades.
Rahul Gandhi personally took the initiative to make a Dalit – Mallikarjun Kharge – the new Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and later also Congress president. The symbolism was not much palatable as a talented Shashi Tharoor was sidelined and the fact was Rahul wanted to remote control Kharge.
Importantly, Kharge was given the post replacing former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who again has been a longtime family loyalist. In 1998 when Sonia Gandhi took over as President staging a coup against 'harmless' Sitaram Kesri, Azad was a key Man Friday.
Dalits make up at least 20 per cent of the population in Uttar Pradesh. The challenge before the Congress now will be to stay relevant to fight Modi and the BJP in 2029.
Almost situation prevailed during 2024 polls when the Congress had to struggle hard to get back its 'national rhythm and appetite' to fight Narendra Modi.
The regional satraps such as Mamata Banerjee are ambitious and do not have much faith in Rahul's ability to deliver.
Trinamool Congress is now concerned about fast approaching 2026 assembly polls.
Of course, once state elections are over in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, there could be more regional contestants.
For its part within the party fold and amongst rank and file, the Congress faces a major challenge in the form of factionalism.
It is true 'factionalism' is abundantly available inherent’culture of the party.
In several states across India, the BJP ideally wants to be like it is in Gujarat, where the grand old party is its only major competitor but it has chronic illness on twin fronts of leadership (no good face) and organisational weaknesses.
The fact that Maharashtra is a state known for Shahu Maharaj and BR Ambedkar does not offer any formidable challenge to the RSS and the BJP today.
The NCP of Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray have been sidelined and the Congress appears to be an easy push over.
The invincibility, analysts talk about the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah led BJP looks to be a gift from the Congress.
ends
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