Congress’ solo path for ‘ideological survival’

Mumbai: The Congress party’s decision to contest the forthcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently is being viewed as an attempt to reclaim its ideological space among the public and restore credibility within its cadre, senior leaders indicated. The announcement - made by AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala alongside state president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad - did not trigger a backlash from the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi...

min read

Congress’ solo path for ‘ideological survival’

Mumbai: The Congress party’s decision to contest the forthcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently is being viewed as an attempt to reclaim its ideological space among the public and restore credibility within its cadre, senior leaders indicated. The announcement - made by AICC General Secretary Ramesh Chennithala alongside state president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad - did not trigger a backlash from the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners, the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT). According to Congress insiders, the move is the outcome of more than a year of intense internal consultations following the party’ dismal performance in the 2024 Assembly elections, belying huge expectations. A broad consensus reportedly emerged that the party should chart a “lone-wolf” course to safeguard the core ideals of Congress, turning140-years-old, next month. State and Mumbai-level Congress leaders, speaking off the record, said that although the party gained momentum in the 2019 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it was frequently constrained by alliance compulsions. Several MVA partners, they claimed, remained unyielding on larger ideological and political issues. “The Congress had to compromise repeatedly and soften its position, but endured it as part of ‘alliance dharma’. Others did not reciprocate in the same spirit. They made unilateral announcements and declared candidates or policies without consensus,” a senior state leader remarked. Avoid liabilities He added that some alliance-backed candidates later proved to be liabilities. Many either lost narrowly or, even after winning with the support of Congress workers, defected to Mahayuti constituents - the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, or the Nationalist Congress Party. “More than five dozen such desertions have taken place so far, which is unethical, backstabbing the voters and a waste of all our efforts,” he rued. A Mumbai office-bearer elaborated that in certain constituencies, Congress workers effectively propelled weak allied candidates through the campaign. “Our assessment is that post-split, some partners have alienated their grassroots base, especially in the mofussil regions. They increasingly rely on Congress workers. This is causing disillusionment among our cadre, who see deserving leaders being sidelined and organisational growth stagnating,” he said. Chennithala’s declaration on Saturday was unambiguous: “We will contest all 227 seats independently in the BMC polls. This is the demand of our leaders and workers - to go alone in the civic elections.” Gaikwad added that the Congress is a “cultured and respectable party” that cannot ally with just anyone—a subtle reference to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which had earlier targeted North Indians and other communities and is now bidding for an electoral arrangement with the SS(UBT). Both state and city leaders reiterated that barring the BMC elections - where the Congress will take the ‘ekla chalo’ route - the MVA alliance remains intact. This is despite the sharp criticism recently levelled at the Congress by senior SS(UBT) leader Ambadas Danve following the Bihar results. “We are confident that secular-minded voters will support the Congress' fight against the BJP-RSS in local body elections. We welcome backing from like-minded parties and hope to finalize understandings with some soon,” a state functionary hinted. Meanwhile, Chennithala’s firm stance has triggered speculation in political circles about whether the Congress’ informal ‘black-sheep' policy vis-a-vis certain parties will extend beyond the BMC polls.

National Sports Day: Beyond Names, Towards a Sporting Nation

Bhalchandra Chorghade
Nov 1
3 min read

National Sports Day is not just a tribute to Dhyan Chand, but a reminder of India’s potential to become a sporting powerhouse.

India celebrates National Sports Day on August 29, marking the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, regarded as the greatest player in the sport’s history. More than symbolic, the occasion reminds us of the values sports instil and their role in shaping a healthy, disciplined, and aspirational society.

Sports has its own language of identity, with athletes given unique titles based on their disciplines. Volleyball players are ‘spikers’, basketball players ‘cagers’ or ‘hoopsters’, and cue-sport professionals in snooker and billiards ‘cueists’. Boxers are pugilists, weightlifters are grapplers, and badminton players are shuttlers. Cricket, India’s most popular sport, has batsmen, pacers, spinners, and all-rounders. Footballers, too, are dubbed strikers, sweepers, or keepers. These titles are more than playful synonyms; they reflect a culture that celebrates specialisation, skill, and sporting identity.

Deeper significance

Beyond names and terminology lies the true essence of sport. For individuals, it fosters discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and resilience. A boxer learns not just to fight in the ring but to face setbacks with courage. A shuttler develops reflexes and endurance, along with patience and strategy. Grapplers show strength but, more importantly, embody persistence, building capability through years of training.

Sports uniquely mould character. The discipline to follow training, the commitment to stay fit, and the toughness to face victory or defeat prepare athletes for life’s challenges beyond the field. They also foster community and belonging. When basketball hoopsters share the court or football strikers coordinate with midfielders, they exemplify teamwork—a lesson relevant across personal and professional life.

Nation-building

At a societal level, sports are more than recreation; they are tools of nation-building. With its demographic dividend, India cannot afford to ignore the need to channel youthful energy into constructive avenues, such as sports. It fosters physical well-being, inclusivity, and gender equality. The rise of women in boxing, wrestling, badminton, and weightlifting—with icons like Mary Kom, P.V. Sindhu, and Mirabai Chanu—reflects this shift.

Sports also aid diplomacy and international recognition. From the Olympics to the Asian Games, every medal projects soft power and enhances India’s global standing. National Sports Day is thus not just a tribute to Dhyan Chand but a reminder of India’s potential to become a sporting powerhouse.

Recognising this potential, the Indian government has undertaken several initiatives to nurture sporting talent. The Khelo India Programme has become a cornerstone for spotting and nurturing young athletes across various disciplines, providing them with scholarships and structured training. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) has been instrumental in preparing elite athletes for international events by providing financial and infrastructural support.

In addition, the development of sports infrastructure—stadiums, training centres, and academies—has been prioritised in several states. Schemes like the Fit India Movement aim to take fitness and sporting culture beyond athletes to the wider population, encouraging every citizen to make exercise and sport a part of daily life.

Yet, challenges remain. The concentration of resources in urban areas often leaves rural talent under-supported. Moreover, while cricket enjoys massive attention and sponsorship, other sports often struggle for visibility, funding, and media coverage. This imbalance continues to raise questions about whether India’s sporting culture is holistic or cricket-centric. National Sports Day provides an occasion to introspect on this imbalance and to strive towards giving every sport and every sportsperson their due recognition.

Road ahead

As India aspires to win more Olympic medals and expand its presence across international competitions, the need of the hour is a comprehensive ecosystem—one that combines grassroots training, modern infrastructure, scientific coaching, and most importantly, a cultural shift that values sport not merely as entertainment but as an essential pillar of holistic development.

The nomenclature of athletes—spikers, hoopsters, cueists, shuttlers—shows the diversity of disciplines that enrich the sporting world. But National Sports Day is an opportunity to remind ourselves that behind these names lie stories of grit, struggle, and triumph. Honouring them means more than celebrating their titles; it means supporting their journeys, recognising their sacrifices, and embedding the values of sport into everyday life.

In the words of Major Dhyan Chand himself, sports are not just about winning medals but about fostering unity, discipline, and character. On this National Sports Day, India must reaffirm its commitment to nurturing a sporting culture that lives up to his legacy.

1 Comment

Tim Smith

Nov 03

This article really made me reflect on how much sports shape not just individual lives but the broader culture of a nation. Growing up, I watched athletes train relentlessly, and it taught me that discipline, resilience, and teamwork aren’t just lessons for the field—they carry over into everyday challenges. What struck me most here is the emphasis on recognizing every sport and its athletes, beyond cricket’s massive popularity, which is something India is gradually addressing through programs like Khelo India and TOPS. While exploring ways to stay connected with different sports digitally, I came across resources like https://1winapk.pro/ where you can read review and get insights into various sports offerings, even though it’s not for playing. It’s a reminder that…