Leaders Not Lemmings: Congress Must Stay True to its Ideals

A political party must shape public opinion, not careen ideologically left or right based on public opinion

Published in the Hindustan Times

Also Read: Where The Congress Faltered

Modi Government’s stealth move to do away with Article 370 and dismember the state of Jammu of Kashmir into two Union Territories has deeply divided Congress supporters, members and leaders. Strong voices both within and outside pushed for the Party to support the Government arguing that public sentiment (outside Kashmir) is heavily tilted in favour of Government’s actions and that opposition would put the already depleted Congress Party at odds with the electorate ahead of crucial assembly elections. This may seem like pragmatic politics at a time when electoral victory is increasingly critical even for ideological relevance; however, this bears unpacking ideologically and practically.

First, the ideological question. A political party in a democracy must do three things: articulate a vision for the future based on its underlying values and objectives; mobilise the electorate around that vision to capture state power; and govern if successful in capturing power, or sit in opposition to hold the government accountable. Seen thus, a political party is a top-down platform to mobilise public opinion. It follows that some ideas and ideals are core to a political party and common to its members and supporters – and that democratic accountability of a political party’s leadership to its members and followers is to adhere to its stated values instead of allowing an amorphous “people” to define its values on an ad-hoc basis. This is different from how democracy operates in a country wherein the electorate often has sharp differences of priorities and proclivities. It is thus important to ensure that the government is representative of the largest section of electorate by periodically providing the option of electing that political party which appeals to maximum voters. Thus, while democracy at the level of the country is a bottom-up opportunity to change direction altogether, a political party cannot careen ideologically left or right based on public opinion.

Some argue that it is precisely this thinking which has rendered the Congress Party impervious and disconnected from the public. This is a gross simplification, which sidesteps its own context, including Party’s inability to intervene in the public discourse from a position of strength. The Congress (and liberals) have become over-dependent on institutional intermediaries like the media to communicate instead of shaping public opinion over time through dialogue and discussion in communities. Combined with some loss of credibility, counter-majoritarian positions by the Congress are prone to being twisted and hijacked instead of making people pause to rethink their stand. These constraints are exacerbated because the Congress is mostly reacting to an agenda set by the BJP, where even criticism helps the BJP instead of the Congress. The corollary is that since the voter can only vote for one party, pandering to mass sentiment on an agenda set by the BJP may have limited benefit for the Congress.

Political parties are vehicles to acquire power for governance. Governance by definition is not single-issue. Similarly, the voter has a range of aspirations and grievances. Congress Party should prioritise and politicise those issues which further its political agenda and have mass public connect. It is unclear why the Party should measure public connect on an agenda set by the BJP instead of worrying about disconnect from the public from its own nationalist legacy and foundational values. The Congress-led UPA Government has impressive achievements and much to be proud of; however, despite pulling 140 million Indians out of poverty, maintaining social harmony and enacting pathbreaking legislations, the Party does not have ownership over national issues which span caste, regional, religious, and gender divides like inequality, rule of law, diversity and equal educational opportunity. This is the real cause for concern and course correction: to rethink the Party’s political platform, find new articulations, and a constructive programmatic agenda which connects us with the public.

Finally, on the immediate question of abrogating provisions of article 370 and downgrading the state of Jammu and Kashmir to 2 separate Union territories. It is notable that these historic changes were made without consultation, by making the Modi Government appointed Governor stand in for the dissolved state assembly, after arresting former Chief Ministers and suspending all communication and movement between and from people of Kashmir. Irrespective of where one stands on the advisability of these changes, there can be no endorsement of the methods adopted and it is to the Congress Party’s credit that it was a voice of dissent and principle. It is true that the Congress Party is manoeuvring in limited space but any capitulation will not be one-off. Kashmir, Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, UCC, all India NRC and more are in the pipeline. The only way forward, to safeguard the idea of India and Indian democracy, is for Congress to remain true to its ideals. It is also its responsibility to its members and supporters who have stood by it for these very ideals even as opportunist leaders have defected to the other side.