The fight to secure India’s democracy and protect its constitutional values cannot be won through politics as usual. The ruling party thrives on centralization and sabotage, stories, narratives and decisions. The opposition should hug the opposite: decentralization, open dialogue, respect for criteria, and a politics that hears before speaking.
Bharat Jodo Yatra And Bharat Jodo Justice Yatra This approach demonstrated under the leadership of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (and now the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha). Unlike scripted political campaigns, these yatras were engaged in open end-as much as they spoke to leaders, and communities to shape the agenda rather than only to receive promises. These were contrary to the rigorous command-end-control structures of the ruling party. Nevertheless, this lesson, despite its success, has not been completely internal by the opposition.
Seriously, these yatras were not only political events, but also the functions of faith. And no one deserves more credit for this than Mr. Gandhi. The opponents were rejected, reduced by the media, and politically isolated even within their own ranks, they resumed conversations in Indian politics – walking, listening and making place for people’s voice. His approach was not about determining the conditions, but was promoting politics of participation, where confidence – slogans and gimmick – shaped the discourse.
Whatsoever way Mr. Gandhi said ‘Samvidan Kharat Mein (The Constitution is in danger ‘) There was no accident in a deep -felt public spirit with a slogan. This was the result of constant engagement, town hall, direct conversation, and refusal to play politics as usual. Yatras created an environment in which people heard and because they trusted him; He believed in him when he displayed a copy of the Constitution in the speech after the speech and warned of the dangers that faced it. It was not just a fiction; It was a building building.
A reality check
The results of recent state elections provide a reality probe. Electoral disadvantages in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi remind me what happens when the opposition leaves the listening model and falls back to the old habits. Maharashtra showed that an alliance The focus on internal dialogues is focused and not at the grassroots level, Bhairata, the Janata Party (BJP), cannot face the attack of the muscles and machinery. Haryana demonstrated that large -scale dissatisfaction alone is not enough; It should be converted into political speed. Delhi was a case study How arithmetic fails without chemistry and how voters punished the theatrical and gimmick of the Aam Aadmi Party government. In each case, the Indian National Developmental Inclusion Alliance (India) thwarted its own supporters.
In Indian classical music, there is a performance of a jugged equal, where two musicians respond to each other, improve, and create more than their parts. India block should embrace this feeling. Instead of a top-down approach, it should empower regional leaders, organizations and movements where they are the strongest.
The BJP has mastered centralization, where messaging is the same and the flow of decision making from the top below. The opposition can only compete with decentralization by embracing decentralization – not as an entry of dissatisfaction, but as a source of strength.
Yatra was successful as he rejected the idea that leadership was about control. Instead of issuing instructions, he created places where local leadership and movement can shape a conversation with a national leader. Instead of relying on a media ecosystem for the opposition, he formed directly with people. Instead of considering politics as a series of transactions, he worked to rebuild the trust.
There are times when the India Block has fought with internal coordination, but it is not uncommon for the coalition of diverse regional and national parties. Coordination is not only about implementing decisions. This is about to ensure that each party feels investment in a common strategy.
From chaos to opportunity
The struggles of alliance in Parliament reflect its widespread challenges. Since June 2024 (when the election results were declared), the India block has faced difficulties in maintaining unity and effective coordination. While opposition was the brightness of unity, these were largely fragmented intervention, missed the opportunity to justify the government, and Inability to secure major positions Such as the post of deputy speaker in the Lok Sabha.
Nevertheless, this inequality presents an opportunity for introspection and reorganization. By focusing on shared concerns, it may have a harmonious strategy that resonates economic policies, social justice, institutional integrity, or chronic capitalism, the India block can form a harmonious strategy that echoes within Parliament and with the public. The alliance must shift for one from an ad hoc perspective that is a problem-based and collaborative. There has already been a subtle change in the ongoing budget session, where the coordination between the parties has been agile and informal, which allows every party to represent its major issues in Parliament such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Food Safety, delimitation, voter rolls, which are one against the Treasury Bench or even the Condient Officer. This is not possible with a centralized secretariat in India, which releases the dickt.
A reliable vision for the future of India should emerge from the land of size by youth, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs and marginalized communities, and is not decided by the aristocratic class. Listen policy should be guided. The India block should be directly engaged with people affected by economic changes in the use of artificial intelligence and automation, giving industries a re -shape. In a recent parliamentary address, Mr. Gandhi warned that AI would redefine employment and production. Policies should ensure that the technology increases – instead of displacement – livelihood by balanced innovation with activists.
Small and medium businesses, startups and entrepreneurs struggle under monopoly markets and political protection. A government that preference corporate colleagues about public welfare, eradicates social justice, weakens institutions, and deepens inequality. This is why a caste census is not only about representation; It is about aspiration. Most of Indian education, employment and entrepreneurship are outside the network. Justice and opportunity should be made on data and evidence, not perceptions.
The ruling party has mastered the top-down control of the stories, determining what the nation cares. The opposition should disrupt the opposition by listening to the real concerns of the people and shaping them the national conversation. This cannot be an election-weather practice. This requires continuous engagement, gathering and action.
Listen
The biggest challenge before the India Block is not only voter doubt, but also disintegration. Many people opposing the BJP are disillusioned, realizing that electoral politics provides very few real options. This is why Yatra echoed – he did not just ask for votes. He invited people to participate.
This approach should now be internal. The alliance should engage not only for photos-ops, but also with the movements of the people as partners in shaping a political vision. It should be displayed that it is listening – not only for their own leadership, but also for workers, farmers, youth, entrepreneurs and communities.
Most importantly, it will be to identify that listening is not inactive. This is an act of political resistance. In an era where the ruling party wants to implement the same story, making spaces for alternative conversations is a challenge for power in itself. Protests should not be opposed. It should provide a compelling, inclusive and participation option.
Yatras showed that when the politics is not limited to the election cycles, when the leaders hear instead of speaking, and when a campaign has to be gathered for continuous engagement rather than a gimmick.
If India block learns this lesson, in which it creates faith, frames a clear vision, and hears before speaking, it will not just be an election option. This will be the beginning of a democratic renewal that India needs in dire need.
Varun Santosh is a member of the Congress party during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and former vice -president of the party’s National War Room. Expressed views are personal
Published – 01 April, 2025 12:16 AM IST