The Indian National Congress (INC) is the oldest political party in India. Founded in 1885, the party has a rich history. It has played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence from colonial British rule.

Over the years, the INC has undergone several changes and its constitution has gone through many amendments. The latest amendment to the INC’s constitution announced in February 2023 has created a buzz in the Indian political landscape.

The amendment to the party’s constitution comes in the wake of a string of electoral defeats in recent years. The grand old party has been struggling to find its footing in Indian politics, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dominating the political landscape. In the 2019 general elections, the Congress was able to win only 52 seats out of a total of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.

The new amendment to the INC’s constitution aims at making the party more democratic and transparent. The key highlights of the amendment include:

Inner-Party Elections: The amendment proposes to hold regular elections within the party to elect office bearers at all levels. This will ensure that party leaders are chosen democratically and will help reduce the influence of powerful factions within the party.

Youth Representation: The amendment proposes to give more representation to the youth in the party. The INC has been criticised for being out of tune with the younger generation, and this move is expected to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the party.

Women Empowerment: The amendment proposes to give more representation to women in the party. This move is aimed at addressing gender inequality within the party and encouraging more women to participate in politics.

Greater Transparency: The amendment proposes to make the party’s decision-making processes more transparent. This will include publishing the minutes of all meetings and making the party’s finances more accessible to party members and the public.

These amendments have been welcomed by many within the party as a positive step towards making the party more democratic and transparent. However, some critics have raised concerns over the feasibility of implementing the amendments. Some are even skeptical about the potential of the amendments to usher in real change in the party.

The constitutional amendments are a significant move in Indian politics, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the party’s fortunes in the upcoming state and national elections. The BJP, which has been in power since 2014, is expected to put up a tough fight in the upcoming elections while the Congress will need to pull out all stops to win back the trust of the Indian electorate.

In conclusion, the INC’s constitutional amendment is a welcome move, a step in the right direction, irrespective of whether it will translate into electoral successes for the party or not. The amendments signal the party’s willingness to adapt and change to meet the needs of the changing political landscape in India.