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Indian National Congress (INC)

  • Abbreviation INC
  • President Mallikarjun Kharge
  • Treasurer Ajay Maken
  • Founder A.O. Hume, W.C. Bonnerjee, S.N. Banerjee, Monomohun Ghose, William Wedderburn, Dadabhai Naoroji, Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Dinshaw Wacha, Mahadev Ranade
  • Founded 28 December 1885 (139 Years Ago) (1885-12-28)
  • Country India
  • Headquarters Indira Bhawan, 9 A, Kotla Marg, New Delhi-110001
  • Eci Status National Party
  • Parliamentary Chairperson Sonia Gandhi
  • Ideology Big Tent, Liberalism (Indian), Social Democracy, Secularism (Indian), Civic Nationalism

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Indian National Congress (INC) BIOGRAPHY

Last Updated : 03 Feb 2025
Indian National Congress: A Historical Overview Founded on December 28, 1885, the Indian National Congress (INC) played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence. Initially a platform for moderate nationalists, it evolved under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership into the spearhead of the independ...ence movement. Post-1947, the Congress dominated Indian politics for over five decades, establishing a secular, socialist-influenced mixed economy under Jawaharlal Nehru's premiership. The party's ideology is broadly centrist, advocating secularism, social justice, and a welfare state. While initially supporting socialist policies, the party shifted towards economic liberalization under P V Narasimha Rao. Key leaders include Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh, all of whom served as Prime Ministers. Sonia Gandhi holds the record for the longest tenure as party president. Mallikarjun Kharge currently leads the party. Electoral performance has fluctuated significantly. The Congress secured outright majorities in seven general elections and led coalitions in three others, governing for over 54 years. However, the BJP’s rise since the 1990s has challenged the Congress’ dominance. The party faced major defeats in 2014 and 2019, but saw a significant improvement in the 2024 elections, securing 99 seats and forming the official opposition. Internal splits, notably in 1969 and 1979, and the imposition of the Emergency (1975-77) under Indira Gandhi remain controversial aspects of the party's history. The Congress continues to be a major player in Indian politics, albeit with reduced influence compared to its heydays. Its current focus is on rebuilding its base and challenging the BJP's dominance.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS NEWS

Congress silent, its allies come out in support of Jantar Mantar protest

June 07, 2026 6:55 am

Congress leaders maintained a measured silence, with insiders saying that the party suspects CJP was backed by AAP and will take a “wait and watch” approach.

Foil to Shivakumar, Sonia loyalist, vocal BJP-RSS critic: Meet new Karnataka Congress chief Hariprasad

June 06, 2026 2:46 pm

By entrusting KPCC leadership to the OBC veteran, Congress leadership seeks to offset Siddaramaiah’s exit as CM, put a check on Shivakumar, and prepare the party for 2028 elections.

PM Modi in Gujarat: Congress spread chaos, its parasitic politics won’t work

June 06, 2026 10:04 am

PM Modi said that everyone was talking about West Bengal and that the recent Assembly election results there "gives enthusiasm and energy to the people."

Congress targets PM over Rubio remarks on India buying USD 500bn goods from US

May 25, 2026 3:49 am

Ramesh also questioned why the Modi government had agreed to receive imports from the US when the PM had on record asked citizens to cut down on domestic fuel consumption and overseas travel to save foreign exchange.

3 men, 1 chair: Inside the Congress battle for Kerala CM job

April 27, 2026 12:30 pm

With counting day nearing, race between three of the state’s most prominent Congress leaders for the chief minister’s post is in its last lap.

'Nobody is watching Kerala Story 2': Rahul Gandhi says cinema is used as a tool to 'vilify, alienate' people

March 07, 2026 9:19 am

Rahul Gandhi recently said that cinema in India is being weaponised to vilify people and alienate communities, and that large amounts of money are being used for this purpose.

'Jailed a tantri for revenge’: BJP, Congress launch fresh offensive against Pinarayi Vijayan govt over Sabarimala

February 23, 2026 9:29 pm

Congress-led Opposition leader V D Satheesan demanded that the government explain why the tantri was arrested without any evidence against him. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged the arrest was meant to “rescue” former Devaswom minister and CPI(M) leader Kadakampally Surendran and “divert media attention”.

Protest at AI Impact Summit: Congress alleges workers being detained, questioned illegally

February 22, 2026 9:19 pm

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav has alleged that the police have picked up workers from their homes who were not even involved in the incident.

👁 Ram Charan in a still from Peddi
Ram Charan’s Peddi defies the odds to blast past Rs 400 crore globally in just 14 days
Entertainment1 hr ago

Ram Charan's sports drama Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, has become a massive success, earning over Rs 400 crore worldwide in just 14 days. It has broken records for the actor, becoming his highest grossing solo film and the second to cross Rs 200 crore domestically. Despite controversy, Peddi has been a significant milestone in Ram Charan's career.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS PHOTOS

Rahul Gandhi paints Delhi’s Anand Vihar red; turns ‘coolie’, interacts with porters

September 21, 2023 10:18 pm

The Gandhi scion went on to don the red uniform shirt and badge they gave him and briefly carried a suitcase on his head as he walked along with them.

Songs, banners, rallies, and protests: Gujarat gears up for Assembly elections

December 05, 2022 11:29 am

The Gujarat Assembly elections are scheduled to be held from December 1 to December 5.

Bharat Jodo Yatra: Congress Party's 'long battle' to unite the country

September 09, 2022 8:55 pm

The 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' by Rahul Gandhi is being billed by the party as the longest rally mounted in the country over the last century.

For NCP-Congress, Rahul Gandhi saves the day in Mumbai

April 21, 2014 8:56 am

Rahul Gandhi appealed to the cosmopolitan character of Mumbai city saying that the Congress line of thought is in the DNA of the city.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS VIDEOS

Fali S Nariman Interview: Congress' charges for impeachment of Chief Justice Dipak Misra are frivolous

June 22, 2020 6:25 pm

In an interview to The Indian Express, senior jurist Fali S Nariman rubbished the charges leveled by the Congress party on the issue of impeaching the Chief Justice of India. This is what he said. 

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