Congress needs to reinvent itself

The Jeffrey Epstein-gate has given Congress a new opportunity to corner the Narendra Modi dispensation, with a direct focus on the Prime Minister. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has seemingly lapped up the chance with both hands to launch a direct diatribe against the PM without mincing words. The issue found forceful mention in Parliament and echoed outside as well, with the latest manifestation being the Indian Youth Congress protest during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. What next? Where do the Congress and Rahul Gandhi go from here to make Epstein-gate, in the Indian context, a countrywide issue so as to rattle the powerful ruling leadership? Or will it, like many previous instances, die its own death due to a lack of will to follow up?

First and foremost, he should bear in mind that building a national movement on any issue, particularly of the Epstein kind which has already created tremors in many countries across the world, will require concerted, coordinated and unified action. There is no doubt that Rahul Gandhi and a handful of his party colleagues, while others remain silent ringside spectators, have shown courage in speaking out and trying to corner Narendra Modi directly.

Congress is at the crossroads on two counts, and both are significant and central for any movement to have a successful nationwide impact. Firstly, the Congress organisational structure is crying out for immediate attention and repair. Intriguingly, this issue of immense urgency has not attracted the attention of Rahul Gandhi, as from all available indications nothing happens in the party without his sanction.

The lackadaisical approach in this regard is reflected, and has now become routine, in the absence of tough decision-making to revamp the organisational set-up, corner habitual dissenters and saboteurs, and remove deadwood and non-performers. Rahul Gandhi's words must match his actions. In fact, such inaction has emboldened those performing similar acts in other states and Union Territories to serve the BJP's cause.

How can any movement at the national level be built or succeed without a strong organisation? Congress may not be considered a cadre-based party, but it still has infrastructure, rank and file, and followers in every corner of the country. Yet much of it lies dormant due to the lack of interest shown by leaders at various levels.

Rahul Gandhi has, from time to time, taken important and daring initiatives to highlight issues and expose the BJP-led dispensation. The twin Bharat Jodo Yatras were undoubtedly a revolutionary step. They generated considerable public attention and enabled him to establish direct contact with the people through their overwhelming participation. However, in the end, with no worthwhile follow-up plan and, more importantly, no organisational set-up to carry the message forward, the momentum has largely fizzled out.

The second factor that has placed the Congress at the crossroads is the present standing and status of the I.N.D.I.A alliance. There were occasions in the past when the opposition could have united to raise issues and build momentum against the Modi government, but these opportunities were frittered away for want of unity. Being the only national party in the alliance with a countrywide presence, Congress and particularly Rahul Gandhi should have adopted a proactive approach to cohesively lead the front, but this has not happened.

As a result, owing to Congress's weaknesses, vested interests have begun creating the impression that the leadership of the I.N.D.I.A bloc is up for grabs. At the grassroots of this situation lies Congress's organisational weakness and the reluctance of its leadership to take tough decisions of far-reaching consequences. In addition, occasional sniping by Congress leaders or MPs at allies such as Mamata Banerjee or M K Stalin has further harmed the opposition coalition. This is one side of the story. Leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Uddhav Thackeray and the grand old Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar also share responsibility for allowing personal ambitions and inflated egos to weaken the I.N.D.I.A alliance, often targeting Congress, and more specifically Rahul Gandhi, on various pretexts.

Rahul Gandhi should continue his efforts to connect with people. It suits his affable personality and willingness to mingle with the man on the street.

However, sustaining such efforts requires a strong organisation with committed leaders at every level. Jeffrey Epstein-gate presents another opportunity for Rahul Gandhi to set his house in order without delay. Only by speaking from a position of organisational strength can the Congress leadership resolve its internal weaknesses and silence opposition alliance partners who question the party's leadership.

The writer is a political and national affairs analyst; views are personal