The saying “What worked in the past once won’t work in the present again” has become widely accepted political wisdom among strategists. However, a closer understanding of electoral politics reveals a deeper truth: “What worked in the past can work again and again.” Unfortunately, it is predominantly far-right parties that have grasped this lesson and used it effectively.
Across Europe and the West, far-right movements in countries like Italy, Germany, and France, as well as the United States, have relied on old nationalist populism to build formidable ground movements. These movements threaten liberal democracies by creating a sense of urgency and identity among their supporters. In contrast, centrist liberal parties, such as the Democratic Party in the United States, often remain engaged in performative displays of democracy without creating a confrontational counter-narrative.
The more important question that arose from the American elections is one that Bernie Sanders has often posed: “How are the Democrats different from the Republicans when it comes to the working class and the wealthy capitalists?” The answer often reveals little meaningful distinction. This lack of a substantive ideological difference weakens the opposition's ability to counter right-wing populism and leaves large sections of the electorate disillusioned.
A similar dynamic can be observed in India. The Congress-led opposition, while critical of the BJP’s divisive politics, often falls into the trap of centrism. After the Maharashtra Assembly elections, critics argued that the Congress’ “Save the Constitution” narrative, which worked during the Lok Sabha elections, failed to resonate. However, this overlooks a crucial point: Rahul Gandhi had begun addressing issues like caste census, OBC reservation, wealth inequality, unemployment, and the under-representation of lower castes in key institutions. These issues, traditionally ignored by Congress’s liberal upper-caste leadership, struck a chord with many voters.
Despite mainstream media and the BJP labelling Rahul’s stance as leftist, these issues helped Congress challenge the BJP’s reliance on the Hindu-Muslim binary. This shift in focus worked more effectively than Congress’s earlier "secular liberal Hinduism” campaign in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which failed to convey a clear message.
However, the Congress’s centrist position still lacks the ideological clarity and consistency needed to counter the BJP’s right-wing capitalism. While the BJP maintains a constant, albeit inconsistent, movement around its Hindu-Muslim binary narrative, the Congress has failed to build a sustained ground campaign around critical issues like wealth inequality, upper-caste dominance, farmer unrest, unemployment, and the caste census.
The BJP’s approach gives its supporters the sense of being part of a larger movement, while the absence of a confrontational camp from the opposition makes the ruling party’s position appear stronger. Congress must move beyond centrist posturing and adopt a clear, unapologetic stance on these issues. People are not only aware of these challenges but also yearn for real solutions—ones rooted in sustained movements and strong leadership.
Recent political trends reveal that parties with no clear or radical position have struggled. For instance, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu succeeded by embracing Periyar’s radical anti-Sanatana stance, while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh floundered due to its lack of a strong message. Similarly, the Samajwadi Party (SP) fared better than expected by articulating a clear alternative.
In Maharashtra, Congress’s inability to take an extreme position on key issues like farmer unrest, unemployment, OBC reservation, and inflation contributed significantly to its defeat, despite other challenges posed by the ruling BJP. A genuine and sustained movement for ‘Satata Parivartan’ (continuous change) cannot emerge from liberal positions alone. It requires a radical stance from the opposition—one that addresses the systemic inequalities and injustices that resonate deeply with the electorate.
The lesson for the Congress and other centrist parties is clear: performative centrism may win applause in elite circles, but it is radical, people-centric politics that builds movements, mobilises the disillusioned and confronts the entrenched power of the far right. The time for half measures is over; the opposition must embrace the urgency of the moment and rise to meet it unapologetically.
Rahul Sonpimple is the president of the All India Independent Scheduled Castes Association. Views expressed here are the author’s own.