Indian National Congress: From Dominance to Decline or Hibernation?

The Indian National Congress has been experiencing a phase of serious decline since the 2014 and 2019 general elections, and this book provides a systematic analysis of its rise and decline since the 1980s. It covers key issues and themes such as the evolution of the party system, the leadership of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the ideological and policy reorientation of the party in the 1990s, the revival of mass membership and organizational elections, and the 2019 debacle and change in leadership.

Format: Hardback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 04 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Indian National Congress (INC or Congress Party) is a historical entity that has played a pivotal role in India's political landscape since the country's independence. Originating from the national movement for India's freedom, the Congress has been the dominant force in the post-independence multi-party system for nearly four decades. However, the party has been facing a significant decline since the 2014 and 2019 general elections.

In this comprehensive work, the authors undertake a systematic analysis of the rise and decline of the Indian National Congress since the 1980s. The book employs the framework of frame dominance to hibernation to understand the changing fortunes of the Congress. The authors delve into various aspects of the party's history, including its evolution, the leadership dynamics, ideological shifts, and organizational challenges.

The book explores the changing dynamics of the party system in India, highlighting the rise and fall of different political parties and their impact on the Congress. It examines the leadership of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who played crucial roles in shaping the party's ideology and policies. The authors also discuss the ideological and policy reorientation of the Congress in the 1990s under the leadership of P.V. Narasimha Rao, which aimed to modernize the party and appeal to a wider audience.

The book also delves into the revival of mass membership and organizational elections in the Congress, which helped to strengthen the party's grassroots presence. The 2000s saw the Congress under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who attempted to rejuvenate the party and regain its lost support. However, the 2019 debacle and the change in leadership marked a significant turning point for the Congress.

The authors offer valuable insights into the factors that contributed to the Congress's decline, including internal rifts, corruption scandals, and a lack of effective leadership. They also explore the party's attempts to address these challenges and rejuvenate itself. The book concludes by examining the future prospects of the Congress and the challenges it faces in the context of India's evolving political landscape.

This volume is a valuable resource for scholars and researchers of political science, party politics, Indian politics, sociology, modern Indian history, political sociology, public administration, public policy, South Asian studies, and governance studies. It provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the Indian National Congress's history and its role in shaping India's political landscape. The book will be of interest to students, scholars, and policymakers alike.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367674489