Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addressed key concerns following the party's electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana, urging leaders to make "tough decisions" to strengthen the party. In a meeting at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) headquarters, Kharge stressed the need for party unity, accountability, and a shift in strategy to tackle future elections effectively.

Kharge criticized internal bickering, highlighting how public statements against fellow leaders damage the party. He emphasized that for the Congress to succeed, leaders must remain united and avoid undermining each other. Reflecting on the Maharashtra results, Kharge noted that despite the positive momentum from the Lok Sabha elections, the assembly election results were a "shock," and the party needs to analyze and correct its weaknesses.

The Congress chief highlighted the need for grassroots-level changes to ensure the party's strength and readiness for future elections, pointing to the importance of voter lists, booth-level preparation, and strengthening organizational structures. He also emphasized that although the party had suffered defeats, critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and inequality remain central to its agenda, and the party must position itself as the voice of the common people.

Kharge also warned that the repeated defeats of Congress were allowing "fascist forces" to deepen their influence and take over state institutions, stressing the urgency of revitalizing the party to reclaim power. He underlined that only through unity, timely decision-making, and a focus on modern electoral strategies could the party hope to counter the opposition’s propaganda and misinformation.

Kharge's call for change comes as the Congress faces mounting pressure to reassess its approach to electoral challenges in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joining the discussions.