The Congress party is staring at a decisive political test in early 2026 as four key states Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam prepare for Assembly elections in April and May. After setbacks in Delhi and Bihar last year, the party sees these polls as an opportunity to regain momentum and reassert itself ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. However, internal challenges and alliance tensions could complicate its path.
In Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front is upbeat following a strong performance in the December 2025 local body elections. Yet, questions linger over leadership ambitions, particularly around senior leaders Shashi Tharoor and Ramesh Chennithala. The party has opted for a “collective leadership” approach to avoid projecting a chief ministerial face, aiming to maintain unity.
Tamil Nadu presents a different scenario. The Congress remains allied with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by Chief Minister M K Stalin. While the alliance is expected to continue, murmurs over seat-sharing and demands for a larger role in government have caused unease. Despite this, the Congress is seen as better positioned than the BJP in the state.
The picture is far tougher in West Bengal and Assam. In Bengal, the Congress has chosen to contest alone against both the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and the BJP, a risky strategy given its poor 2021 performance. In Assam, internal discord — including tensions involving former state chief Bhupen Borah threatens to derail preparations.
With internal unity emerging as the central challenge, the Congress’ fortunes in these four states may hinge less on opponents and more on its ability to manage its own house.
