New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has responded to discussions on whether the Democratic Party’s gains in the recent US midterm elections can translate into political success for the Congress in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Tharoor remarked that while political setbacks faced by ruling parties and right-wing populist leaders in various parts of the world might inspire the Indian opposition, it is not realistic to assume that electoral success models from foreign countries can be applied identically in India. In an interview with CNN-News18, Tharoor elaborated on the political scenario in India in the context of the US election outcomes.
Answering whether Congress can challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in 2029 by learning lessons from the political blow suffered by former US President Donald Trump’s Republican Party, Tharoor emphasized that it is beneficial for political parties to observe and learn from developments across the globe. He stated that politically astute actors examine experiences and situations in other countries to strengthen their stances and arguments. However, he emphasized that each country’s political, social, and economic contexts differ, so strategies successful in one nation do not guarantee the same results elsewhere.
Tharoor pointed to the political challenges faced by Donald Trump and the Republicans in the US as an example in this context. He highlighted factors that influence election results such as the public’s response to government policies, economic conditions, and trust in political leadership. However, he reminded that India’s electoral politics are very different from those in the US, given the political diversity among states, the influence of regional parties, social conditions, and electoral alliances, all playing decisive roles in the Lok Sabha polls.
Accordingly, Tharoor took the position that it would be premature to predict similar victories for Congress in India solely based on the Democrats’ advance in the US midterms. He noted that if the BJP is to be strongly challenged in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, the opposition would have to develop a clear political strategy rather than rely solely on anti-incumbency sentiments. Raising issues affecting the daily lives of citizens, critically analyzing government policies, strengthening opposition unity, and securing voters’ trust will be central to Congress’s electoral prospects.
Tharoor’s comments clarify that while political changes abroad can provide confidence and motivation to opposition parties, India’s path to election success must be rooted in strategies tailored to its unique circumstances. On the impact of the US midterm results on India-US diplomatic relations, Tharoor observed that regardless of domestic political changes in the US, President Donald Trump retains considerable authority and autonomy in foreign policy decisions. Therefore, India must maintain ongoing dialogue and diplomatic engagement with the US administration irrespective of election outcomes.
He underscored the importance of sustaining the bilateral relationship amidst domestic political shifts in America, spanning trade, defense cooperation, technology, and global security sectors. Concerning Trump’s second term, Tharoor noted that due to constitutional term limits, Trump cannot run for president again, freeing him from personal electoral concerns when making certain foreign policy decisions. However, shifts in Congressional power dynamics would subject his administration’s policies—particularly economic measures, international interventions, and legislative actions—to increased scrutiny and political debate.
The Democratic Party’s gains and the Republican Party’s losses in the November 3, 2022, US midterm elections have opened new avenues for political discourse. Tharoor’s primary observation remains that fundamental differences between the political systems of India and the US must be considered when drawing comparisons between their election results. While the political progress of US Democrats can inspire the Congress, Tharoor’s response conveys the message that defeating the BJP in 2029 requires an independent election strategy grounded in the demands of Indian voters and the country’s political realities.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
