By Durgesh Kumar Dubey 

Today marked a significant moment in the Lok Sabha as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, recently elected MP from Wayanad, delivered her maiden speech. Following the Congress party’s performance in the recent elections across multiple states, all eyes were on this address to see if Priyanka could offer a fresh political narrative—especially at a time when Rahul Gandhi's efforts appear to be falling short.

While Priyanka Gandhi’s speech included sharp criticisms of the BJP, a closer analysis reveals a deeper strategy. The questions about the durability of the Congress-led opposition alliance, particularly after the Lok Sabha elections, have only grown louder.

A narrative has been building that Congress might be becoming a liability for its alliance partners, and this raises natural doubts about the coalition’s future. In her speech, Priyanka brought up sensitive issues such as the killings during the Sambhal mosque survey and highlighted the challenges of privatization and lateral entry in public services.

These issues seem tailored to appeal directly to Muslims and backward communities in Uttar Pradesh, signaling Congress’s focus on reclaiming its traditional vote bank.

A Strain in the Congress-SP Relationship?

However, such remarks may not sit well with the Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress’s key ally in Uttar Pradesh. Recent developments, such as the demotion of Awadhesh Prasad, an SP MP from Faizabad, to a backbench position in the Lok Sabha, and SP MP Dimple Yadav’s neutral statement that the party neither sides with George Soros nor Adani but prioritizes parliamentary function, point to emerging cracks in the alliance.

It is clear that winning Uttar Pradesh is critical for any party aspiring to form a central government, making it likely that Congress and the SP could approach voters separately in the 2027 state elections.

Implications for Bihar in 2025

A similar dynamic seems to be emerging in Bihar, where Congress’s relationship with ally RJD appears strained. Despite their close ties, as highlighted in a viral video of Lalu Prasad Yadav teaching Rahul Gandhi how to cook mutton, Lalu’s surprising support for Mamata Banerjee as the leader of the opposition alliance raises questions.

Lalu’s dream of seeing his son Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar’s Chief Minister remains strong, but with BJP and Nitish Kumar’s calculated moves, and Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party also staking claims, the competition has only intensified.

The RJD’s dependence on Congress for seats might waver, given their confidence in securing Muslim votes and leveraging demands for a separate Mithilanchal region. However, Congress’s Bihar leadership has upped the ante, with Shah Nawaz Alam calling for a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister if the alliance wins.

This demand could either strain the alliance further or provoke stronger BJP counterattacks.

A Clear Shift in Strategy

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s speech seems to indicate a calculated shift in Congress’s approach. Whether in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, Congress appears to be preparing for the possibility of contesting elections independently. This could redefine the party’s electoral strategy and its relationships with regional allies in the coming years.