The Congress party, known for its long-standing politics of minority appeasement, has stirred controversy by appointing Qazi Mohd Nizamuddin as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Delhi. Replacing Deepak Babaria, this strategic reshuffle comes as the party struggles to regain relevance in a city where it has been eclipsed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Critics have labelled this decision as yet another example of Congress pandering to its traditional vote banks, further cementing its image as a party reliant on divisive identity politics.
Adding to this narrative, Congress also announced a three-member screening committee chaired by Meenakshi Natarajan, with Imran Masood and Pradeep Narwal as members. While the leadership claims these steps aim to energize the party ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, detractors argue that the composition of the committee underscores Congress’s obsession with vote-bank politics over merit-based governance.
For decades, the Congress party has faced accusations of leveraging religious identity to secure electoral success, particularly among Muslim voters. Analysts argue that this strategy, while successful in post-independence India, has devolved into a crutch for a party unable to adapt to modern political dynamics. From communal rhetoric to targeted welfare promises, the Congress has repeatedly drawn flak for sidelining governance and development in favour of pandering to select communities.
The BJP has wasted no time in criticizing the latest move. “The Congress is clinging to its outdated politics of appeasement. It is not about reform or leadership; it’s a desperate attempt to rebuild its crumbling vote base,” stated a senior BJP leader. Similar sentiments have been echoed by political observers who see the appointment of Nizamuddin as a clear signal of Congress returning to its divisive roots rather than embracing inclusive development politics.
The Congress, once a dominant force in Delhi, has been reduced to irrelevance following successive electoral defeats. Analysts believe that appointing Nizamuddin is less about strategy and more about desperation, as the party attempts to fall back on its decades-old formula of minority appeasement to remain afloat. However, in an increasingly polarized and performance-driven political landscape, such tactics may alienate more voters than they attract.
While the inclusion of leaders like Meenakshi Natarajan, Imran Masood, and Pradeep Narwal in the election screening committee attempts to project a balanced approach, the heavy emphasis on identity-driven politics may overshadow genuine electoral reforms.
The appointment of Qazi Nizamuddin as Delhi in-charge is a litmus test for Congress’s fading relevance. As the party grapples with an existential crisis, its reliance on appeasement politics may backfire, especially in urban constituencies demanding governance and accountability over divisive tactics. Whether Congress can shed its controversial legacy or remains ensnared in its old playbook will become evident in the upcoming elections.
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