AFTER REVIVAL, WHAT NEXT FOR CONG?

After its best LS results since 2014, the party says it will fight the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana with more vigour

- ADITI PHADNIS

The Congress has taken the pole position in the Indian Opposition. Now what?

Party leaders say they feel they have been successful in two missions: They managed to get the party moving in the 2024 elections and checked the march of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"We have come back as a party that is now being talked about," says Rajiv Shukla, former member of Parliament and coordinator of the party's campaign in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

Compared with 52 seats in 2019, the party's tally looks set to increase to 99 this time, with 77 seats won already and substantial leads on 22 at the time of going to press.

The Congress now sees itself fighting the upcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana with vigour and sincere dedication. It has noted its gains in the northeastern states like Manipur.

It has also noted internally the success of its digital campaign, which has now begun to match the Bharatiya Janata Party's tweet for tweet - according to younger party leaders.