Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni recently voiced his opinion that the Congress party’s leadership should be handed over to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to revitalise its standing. In a conversation with the media, Charuni emphasised that the Congress high command is the only entity that can effectively resolve the internal problems the party is facing.
Charuni, who also established the Sanyukt Sangharsh Party, addressed the issue of ticket-selling in politics. He claimed that it is a widespread practice in political circles, where many parties engage in selling tickets to candidates.
However, he pointed out that while other parties compromise with those who settle into the system, Congress displays arrogance, which, in his opinion, is a major reason for its decline. He further remarked that only a change in leadership, with Priyanka Gandhi at the helm, could save the party from further downfall.
Charuni made a case for Priyanka Gandhi’s leadership over her brother Rahul Gandhi, stating that the party’s prospects would improve with her in charge.
According to him, the Congress needs a fresh direction to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) effectively. Without such a change, Charuni fears that BJP dominance will continue unabated.
His comments came after the BJP's strong performance in the Haryana Assembly elections. The BJP secured 48 seats, surpassing the 40 seats it won in the 2019 elections, while Congress fell short with 37 seats. The result was disappointing for Congress, and Charuni directly blamed the party’s former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the loss.
In his criticism of Hooda, Charuni argued that Hooda's refusal to compromise or engage effectively with others was a key reason for Congress’ failure. He urged the Congress leadership to avoid assigning Hooda any future responsibilities if they wish to remain a competitive opposition in the Haryana Assembly.
Charuni also highlighted the role of the farmers’ union in shaping the political landscape of Haryana over the last decade. According to him, it was the farmers, not Hooda, who acted as the main opposition force during this period. He credited the pro-Congress atmosphere in the state to the efforts of farmers, but lamented that the party failed to capitalise on it.
Charuni’s remarks reflect a broader discontent with Congress' performance and leadership at the state level. He emphasised that the party’s inability to adjust to evolving political dynamics, combined with internal conflicts, has hindered its chances of success. For Congress to regain its strength, Charuni believes that it needs a leadership that is adaptable, inclusive, and capable of engaging with all sections of society.
The BKU chief’s suggestion that Priyanka Gandhi should take the reins of the Congress party underscores the growing demand for a shift in leadership within the party. Charuni’s statements, though directed at the internal workings of Congress, also serve as a critique of the broader political landscape, where he believes the BJP has been able to thrive due to Congress' inability to offer a unified and coherent alternative.
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