As Congress prepares for crucial Assembly elections in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, concerns over factionalism, organisational drift, and competing power centres continue to shadow the party's efforts on the ground. For Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the challenge is no longer limited to taking on political rivals; it is also about ensuring cohesion within their own ranks. This raises an important political question: As Congress seeks to position itself as a credible alternative in key states, will Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge be judged as much on their ability to manage internal divisions as on their ability to win elections ? And if factional battles continue to overshadow organisational rebuilding, does the bigger challenge for Congress lie within the party itself ?

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