India’s Congress may yet revive its fortunes

Significance

Congress has struggled to maintain unity at state level as well as nationally. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains popular, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government faces a tough challenge in spurring recovery from the economic fallout of COVID-19.

Impacts

• Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia’s daughter, will play a greater role in national politics, even if she does not become the party’s next leader.
• Congress may struggle to avoid further party splits in certain states.
• The new Congress leader will aim to prompt greater scrutiny of Modi’s track record regarding job creation.