NEW DELHI: The Congress can forget about bringing Sonia Gandhi’s pet bills. None can be passed without the endorsement of the main opposition party (the BJP) or that of the regional satraps. With UP gone, so are its hopes of correcting its minority status in the Rajya Sabha. And, as an ally of the Congress pointed out that without Rajya Sabha there can be no vice-president of its choice.
The UP and Punjab debacle will have a cascading effect on the morale and the political clout of the Congress in the Centre - which may now have to agree to a consensus candidate for the President and the Vice President elections. And, it’s going to be more than just a headache as the Resident of the Raisina Hills may have a crucial role to play in 2014.
That is, if the electorate fails to a give a clear mandate on who should occupy South Bloc. Much before that, a few months down the line, the Congress will have to face a three-term Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, with a severely dented image. No wonder, Rahul Gandhi looked like a tragic hero who cannot fathom why lady luck did not smile on him.