Established on December 28, 1885, the Indian National Congress played a key role in India's freedom struggle, especially under the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, and socialist leaders like Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan in the early 20th century.

However, in recent years, the party's relevance has significantly diminished. As India enters the new millennium, signs of institutional stagnation within the party are evident.

Read in Hindi: थकावट और ठहराव की शिकार हो चुकी है कांग्रेस...!

The Congress is entangled in old ideologies and strategies, struggling to articulate a compelling and sellable narrative that resonates with recent issues. The lack of a clear strategy has forced commentators to view the Congress as a relic of a bygone era.

The rise of regional parties and leaders has diminished the Congress's influence. In states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi, local parties like SP, AAP, TDP, TMC, and DMK have captured the voters' attention.

The leadership crisis within Congress has also paved the way for its decline. The absence of strong, charismatic leaders who can rally support and inspire confidence has left the party directionless.

The tendency of nepotism has alienated potential new young entrants, many of whom yearn for meaningful participation and representation. The Youth Congress is now barely heard of. This has resulted in stagnation of ideas and reluctance to adopt new political paradigms, hindering the party's growth and adaptability.

In recent decades, the Congress has struggled to revive its political fortunes, especially after several strategic blunders after the economic liberalization of 1991. The party's shift from its traditional leftist ideology to capitalist reforms was a significant departure from its core principles.

This shift created a perception that Congress was compromising its commitment to social equality and welfare, alienating a significant portion of its traditional support base.

Moreover, Congress's efforts to consolidate its minority vote bank often came at the cost of alienating the majority community. This result-driven appeasement strategy has further polarized the electorate.

The BJP capitalized on this sentiment, effectively positioning itself as the champion of the majority while portraying the Congress as a party of appeasement, a narrative that has been beneficial in various parts of the country. The Ayodhya incidents have made this trend and the party's compulsion and dilemma more evident.

One contributing factor to the Congress's plight is its failure to introduce new leadership outside the Nehru-Gandhi family. This dynastic politics has stifled the emergence of innovative leaders who could have revitalized the party and resonated with diverse voters.

The absence of vibrant leadership that connects with the aspirations and challenges of contemporary Indian society has created a political void, which its rivals effectively exploit.

Additionally, the Congress has faced significant challenges in countering the BJP's relentless attacks over numerous corruption scandals involving party leaders. These allegations have tarnished the Congress's image, and the BJP has effectively leveraged this narrative to portray itself as a cleaner, more transparent alternative.

The most damage was done by Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, which, after the 2010 Commonwealth Games, significantly contributed to creating an anti-Congress atmosphere through the Jan Lokpal Bill and India Against Corruption campaign, thereby preparing fertile ground for the BJP.

A combination of factors, such as ideological shifts, minority appeasement, dynastic leadership struggles, and corruption issues, has led to the Congress's continued decline, making it struggle to redefine itself in the rapidly evolving political landscape.

Today, the Congress finds itself at a critical juncture. While it remains the only viable option at the national level, with its extensive grassroots network still intact, the party must confront these challenges to regain its relevance and restore its position in Indian politics.