Minuses

Updated on: 7 February 2024 7:12 pm

Minuses

Foreign origin: A factor that the Sangh parivar will rake up to considerable advantage. A sizeable number of people still can't think of a foreigner as the prime minister of the country.
Language barrier: Speaks mostly in English. Is picking up Hindustani but it's still highly accented.
No presence where it matters: The Congress has little or no presence in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, which account for close to 200 Lok Sabha seats.
Fear of alliances: Sonia's refusal to enter into electoral alliances has left many potential allies cold. The Congress decision to go it alone has often not paid dividends. It reflects the old mindset when the party ruled at the Centre and in all the states.
Coterie-bound: Is seen to be dependent on a few advisors who control access to her.
Baggage from the past: Has to pay for the sins of the earlier Congress governments, namely Ayodhya and the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.