As noted earlier, this elections message doesn't seem so bad for the INC, just like the BJP they killed some of the caste based parties but in less states. Like any other party caught on the backside of a realignment they need to rework their strategy, in these case towards a more nationally focused message. The parties that should be running scared after this election are the TRS, AITC, and probably a few others. If what is happening is the rise of the national BJP/NDA brand, then a national INC/UPA brand with eventually rise to challenge them, finally introducing India to that two-party squeeze so common in FPTP.
Aligning with one camp or another has to be much more tempting now, rather then going into an election 'alone.'
This. There is a YUGE market for a left-of-center or at least a liberal civic-nationalist party in India. Not only for the sake of Indian democracy but for the sake of Indian development, too. My bff from Bangalore is a Leftist who is a BJP person who likes Modi but deplores the bigotry. There are plenty of voters who share this sentiment over there I am sure. There could be a market in India in the future as the BJP becomes the "establishment elite" and there becomes room for a progressive nationalist party. That could years or decades away before they make anything competitive but India really needs a nationalist, globalist party that will help make India more compatible and competitive. A secular, "progressive", and "conservative" party as opposed to an ethno-sectarian national populist one.
