What next for I.N.D.I.A after major setbacks in heartland states?

The victory in Karnataka had rejuvenated hopes for the Congress party ahead of the national elections. It even made for an alliance at a national stage alongside other regional and national parties across the country. The likely loss in the state elections in the heartland regions would surely be a setback for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A). 

Many shortcomings in their campaign have come  to the forefront after the heavy defeats. Reports have emerged that a key strategist in Congress’ victory in Karnataka and now in Telangana, Sunil Kanugolu, was sidelined in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and his inputs were not considered while strategizing for the elections. There also appears to be a lack of coordination with contradicting messages appearing from different leaders within the Congress. An instance of this was Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D.K Shivakumar and Minister of IT/BT in the Government of Karnataka Priyank Kharge having contrasting opinions in the debate surrounding Tamil Nadu DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remark on Sanatana Dharma. An umbrella alliance with contradicting ideologies would send confusing messages to any voter. 

Even when the votes were being counted across the nation, the Congress called for a meeting of the I.N.D.I.A partners in Delhi on December 6th. How the alliance would adapt to the challenges in the future remains to be seen.