The Bharat Jodo Yatra, in Kerala | Photo Credit: THE HINDU/SURESH ALLEPPEY The battle to secure India’s democracy and safeguard its constitutional values cannot be won through politics as usual. The ruling party thrives on centralisation and subversion — of institutions, narratives, and decision-making. The Opposition must embrace the opposite: decentralisation, open dialogue, respect for norms, and a politics that listens before it speaks. The Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (and now Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha) showcased this approach. Unlike scripted political campaigns, these yatras were open-ended engagements — with leaders listening as much as they spoke, and communities shaping the agenda rather than merely receiving promises. These were in stark contrast to the ruling party’s rigid command-and-control structures. Yet, this lesson, despite its success, has not been fully internalised by the Opposition.