The battle to secure India’s democracy and safeguard its constitutional values cannot be won through politics as usual. The ruling party thrives on centralisation and subversion — of institutions, narratives, and decision-making. The Opposition must embrace the opposite: decentralisation, open dialogue, respect for norms, and a politics that listens before it speaks.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (and now Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha) showcased this approach. Unlike scripted political campaigns, these yatras were open-ended engagements — with leaders listening as much as they spoke, and communities shaping the agenda rather than merely receiving promises. These were in stark contrast to the ruling party’s rigid command-and-control structures. Yet, this lesson, despite its success, has not been fully internalised by the Opposition.
Crucially, these yatras were not just political events but also acts of trust-building. And no one deserves more credit for this than Mr. Gandhi. Dismissed by detractors, undermined by the media, and politically isolated even within his own ranks, he reshaped the conversation in Indian politics — walking, listening, and making space for people’s voices. His approach was not about dictating terms but fostering participatory politics, where trust — not slogans and gimmicks — shaped the discourse.
The way Mr. Gandhi transformed ‘Samvidhan Khatre Mein Hai (the Constitution is in danger’) from a slogan into a deeply felt public sentiment was no accident. It was the result of sustained engagement, town halls, direct interactions, and a refusal to play politics as usual. The yatras created an environment wherein people felt heard and because they trusted him to listen; they believed him when he displayed a copy of the Constitution in speech after speech and warned about the threats that it faced. This was not just narrative-building; it was trust-building.
A reality check
The results of recent State elections provide a reality check. The electoral losses in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi are reminders of what happens when the Opposition abandons the listening model and falls back on old habits. Maharashtra showed that a coalition focused on internal negotiations and not grassroots engagement cannot withstand the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s onslaught of money, muscle, and machinery. Haryana demonstrated that mass discontent alone is not enough; it must be converted into political momentum. Delhi was a case study in how arithmetic without chemistry fails and how voters punished the Aam Aadmi Party government’s theatrics and gimmicks. In each case, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) failed its own supporters by taking them for granted.
In Indian classical music, a jugalbandi is a performance of equals, where two musicians respond to each other, improvising, and creating something greater than the sum of their parts. The INDIA bloc must embrace this spirit. Instead of a top-down approach, it must empower regional leaders, organisations and movements to take initiative where they are strongest.
The BJP has mastered centralisation, where messaging is uniform and decision-making flows from top down. The Opposition can only counter this by embracing decentralisation — not as an admission of disunity, but as a source of strength.
The yatras succeeded because they rejected the idea that leadership is about control. Instead of issuing directives, they created spaces where local leaderships and movements could shape the conversation with a national leader. Instead of relying on a media ecosystem hostile to the Opposition, they built direct connections with people. Instead of treating politics as a series of transactions, they worked to rebuild trust.
There have been times when the INDIA bloc has struggled with internal coordination, but that is not unusual for a coalition of diverse regional and national parties. Coordination is not just about enforcing decisions. It is about ensuring that every party feels invested in a shared strategy.
From disarray to opportunity
The alliance’s struggles in Parliament reflect its broader challenges. Since June 2024 (when the election results were declared), the INDIA bloc has faced difficulties in maintaining unity and effective coordination. While there were flashes of Opposition unity, these were largely fragmented interventions, missed opportunities to hold the government accountable, and an inability to secure key positions such as the Deputy Speaker’s post in the Lok Sabha.
Yet, this disunity presents an opportunity for introspection and restructuring. By focusing on shared concerns, be it economic policies, social justice, institutional integrity, or naked expansion of crony capitalism, the INDIA bloc can forge a cohesive strategy that resonates within Parliament and with the public. The alliance must shift from an ad hoc approach to one that is issue-based and collaborative. There has already been a subtle shift in the ongoing Budget session, where coordination between the parties has been nimble and informal, allowing space for every party to represent its key issues in Parliament such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), food security, delimitation, voter rolls, while uniting against gross misconduct either by the Treasury benches or even the Presiding Officer. This would not have been possible with a centralised Secretariat of the INDIA bloc issuing diktats.
A credible vision for India’s future must emerge from the ground up, shaped by youth, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, and marginalised communities, and not dictated by elites. Listening must guide policy. The INDIA bloc must engage directly with those affected by economic shifts particularly in the use of Artificial Intelligence and automation, which are reshaping industries. In a recent parliamentary address, Mr. Gandhi warned that AI will redefine employment and production. Policies must ensure that technology enhances — rather than displaces — livelihoods by balancing innovation with worker protections.
Small and medium businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs struggle under monopolised markets and political patronage. A government that prioritises corporate allies over public welfare erodes social justice, weakens institutions, and deepens inequality. This is why a caste census is not just about representation; it is about aspiration. The vast majority of Indians remain locked out of education, employment, and entrepreneurship networks. Justice and opportunity must be built on data and evidence, and not assumptions.
The ruling party has mastered top-down control of narratives, dictating what the nation should care about. The Opposition must disrupt this by listening to people’s real concerns and letting them shape the national conversation. This cannot be an election-season exercise. It requires sustained engagement, mobilisation, and action.
Listening as a political act
The biggest challenge facing the INDIA bloc is not just voter scepticism but also disengagement. Many who oppose the BJP are disillusioned, feeling that electoral politics offers little real choice. This is why the yatras resonated — they did not just ask for votes. They invited people to participate.
This approach must now be internalised. The alliance must engage with people’s movements, not just for photo-ops, but as partners in shaping a political vision. It must demonstrate that it is listening — not just to its own leadership but also to workers, farmers, youth, entrepreneurs and marginalised communities.
Most importantly, it must recognise that listening is not passive. It is an act of political resistance. In an era where the ruling party seeks to impose a single narrative, creating spaces for alternative conversations is itself a challenge to power. The Opposition must not just oppose. It must offer a compelling, inclusive, and participatory alternative.
The yatras showed what is possible when politics is not confined to election cycles, when leaders listen rather than just speak, and when mobilisation is for continuous engagement rather than a campaign gimmick.
If the INDIA bloc learns this lesson, wherein it builds trust, frames a clear vision, and listens before it speaks, it will not just be an electoral alternative. It will be the beginning of a democratic renewal that India desperately needs.
Varun Santhosh is a member of the Congress party and former Vice-Chairman of the party’s national war room during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The views expressed are personal
Published – April 01, 2025 12:16 am IST