The Congress party is facing fresh internal turbulence after senior leader Salman Khurshid voiced his support for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir. This comes on the heels of recent controversy surrounding Shashi Tharoor's remarks on surgical strikes, adding to the party's woes.
Khurshid, a former Union Minister, made the comments during a visit to Indonesia as part of a multi-party delegation on "Operation Sindoor." Addressing a gathering of academia and think tanks, he stated that Article 370 had created the impression that Jammu & Kashmir was separate from the rest of India. He further added that the abrogation of Article 370 has put an end to this perception, leading to increased prosperity and democratic participation in the region, citing the 65% voter turnout in the recent elections.
These remarks have stirred controversy within the Congress, which has historically maintained an ambivalent stance on the issue. While the party initially opposed the abrogation in Parliament in 2019, it later nuanced its position. In December 2023, after the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the abrogation, the Congress stated that the "debate has ended" on the restoration of Article 370. However, the party has stopped short of explicitly endorsing the move as beneficial for Jammu and Kashmir.
Khurshid's comments have provided an opportunity for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to target the Congress. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would acknowledge Article 370 as a "family blunder" and accused the Congress of harboring a contradictory stance on the issue. Shahnawaz Hussain, another BJP leader, backed Khurshid's statements, asserting their accuracy and diplomatic maturity. Amit Malviya, also of the BJP, wondered if Congress would turn on Khurshid for speaking the truth like they did with Tharoor.
The controversy surrounding Khurshid's remarks highlights the ongoing challenges within the Congress party, which is struggling to maintain a unified front on key policy issues. The differing viewpoints expressed by senior leaders like Khurshid and Tharoor expose the internal ideological divisions and the difficulties in formulating a coherent narrative.
The recent episode involving Shashi Tharoor further underscores these challenges. Tharoor faced criticism from within the party for his comments on India's cross-border military operations. While addressing leaders and diplomats in Panama, Tharoor suggested that the surgical strike on a terror base in September 2015 was unprecedented, drawing flak from party colleagues who accused him of downplaying the Congress's role and praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This led to a public spat, with some Congress leaders sarcastically suggesting that Tharoor should be appointed as the "super spokesperson of the BJP."
These incidents reflect a broader trend of internal dissent and communication breakdown within the Congress. Analysts suggest that the party's weakened central leadership and lack of effective conflict management mechanisms contribute to such public disagreements. The party's inability to present a united front on critical issues weakens its credibility and provides ammunition for its political opponents.
As the Congress navigates these internal challenges, it remains to be seen how the party will address the differing viewpoints and maintain cohesion in the face of mounting political pressure. The controversies surrounding Khurshid and Tharoor serve as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play within the party and the urgent need for effective leadership and communication strategies.
