With the BJP expanding rapidly, will Sonia Gandhi finally let go of her dream to see Rahul as India’s Prime Minister and choose party interests over her son, asks DEVANIK SAHA
It has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting years in Indian politics. 2014 has witnessed several never seen before political scenarios such as BJP forming their first ever Government in Haryana, BJP making significant inroads in Kashmir, a Muslim majority State; and the Congress reduced to their lowest tally of lok Sabha seats ever.
After the lok Sabha debacle, the Congress was dispirited badly with not even having the stake to leader of Opposition post as they didn’t have a minimum of 55 lok Sabha seats to claim it. Additionally, the ensuing Assembly Elections in Maharashtra and Haryana further disheartened their supporters and workers, with Congress suffering crushing defeats and their major leaders disappearing into their personal lives. Sonia Gandhi has almost completely stopped making any statements or appearances, and perhaps, limited herself to taking motherly care of her son.
With the ongoing elections in Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir, she has not put much effort to campaign and convince voters. It appears like she has surrendered to Congress’ terrible fate in elections and is waiting for the BJP to fall on its own.
However, unfazed by the results, Congress’ blue eyed boy Rahul Gandhi seems to have an uncanny knack of stirring controversies at intermittent intervals. A few weeks ago, when he visited the Rangpuri slum in Delhi after it got demolished, in a fit of rage, he said to the media, “They (BJP) have won this time, but if they want to use the bulldozer again, let them drive it over my body”. As soon as it got viral, the internet glitterati wasted no time in making jokes about the comment.
As seen in the past, his sporadic outbursts on political issues have mostly embarrassed the Congress. His most famous flare-up was terming the controversial ordinance protecting the convicted lawmakers as rubbish, which led to its ultimate withdrawal, but it was a major cause of humiliation for the UPA Government. Nevertheless, politics is a roller coaster ride where anyone can become anyone within a blink of an eye. Controversies, outbursts and outrageous statements are a regular feature in Indian politics and being not very experienced, Rahul should be forgiven.
But on 3rd December 2014, a small but politically significant town in Uttar Pradesh, Raebareli, witnessed something that has sent down shock waves amongst the entire Congress faction.
A group of young Congress workers who had gathered for a public meeting requested Rahul, “Rahul bhaiyya, Amit Shah ka jawab sirf Priyanka Gandhi. Aur koi nahi. (Only Priyanka Gandhi can tackle Amit Shah, not anyone else). Such a razor-sharp comment must have pierced Rahul’s heart but deep inside, after Congress’ electoral decimations, he should have expected it sooner or later. Previously, some posters having the slogan ‘Congress ka Moon, Priyanka is coming soon’ had emerged in Allahabad, hinting at such a development, but till now Priyanka has distanced herself constantly maintaining that she is just helping her brother and mother.
So what can we term this incident asIJ A protestIJ An very early form of a rebellionIJ Or just a recommendation at an usual party meetingIJ Going by the candor of the workers’ demand, it’s definitely not another generic suggestion. They have demanded something which most probably, sowed its seeds in January, when Arnab Goswami’s interview with Rahul Gandhi was broadcasted. Rahul’s lack of conviction, inability to answer Arnab’s questions directly and succinctly and dilly dallying around as to how Congress wants to work for women empowerment, gave him the title “Pappu” and Twitter users enough ammo to troll jokes and memes on him for a long time.
Many political analysts believe that post the Arnab interview, Sonia should have given a cameo role to Priyanka as a last ditched attempt to save the ailing Congress. But Priyanka remained confined to what she called “supporting her family”. She mainly stuck to campaigning in Amethi and convincing voters to vote for Rahul. Initially, she wasn’t expected to be a part of Rahul’s election campaign, but it is speculated that ever since Smriti Irani decided to challenge the Congress in its bastion, Priyanka Gandhi was brought in to thwart the BJP.
Time and again, in many ways, Priyanka has been compared to her grandmother, probably one of India’s most hated as well as most admired ex- Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Priyanka’s hairstyle, aura, body language, oratory skills and the ability to connect with people bear a striking resemblance to those of Indira.
Although her characteristics and persona strongly favour her candidature to lead the Congress, Robert Vadra, her controversial husband, will remain her Achilles heel. Always embroiled in a series of controversies, with the recent one being the closure of his six companies in BJP ruled States; his reputation will forever haunt Priyanka, should she decide to actively enter the political arena.
From a mother as well as the party president’s point of view, Sonia Gandhi, is now inevitably faced with the dilemma of whether or not she should elevate Priyanka to a major role in Congress, at the expense of her son.
Her biggest fear which has dissuaded her from taking such a decision might soon come true. Having suffered multiple electoral humiliations, Congress needs an urgent overhaul and the writing seems to be on the wall. Else, a few workers’ bluntness in a small UP town, has the definite possibility, to turn into a widespread rebellion and further weaken the already demoralised Congress.
As voiced by the Congress workers, Priyanka might well be their answer to the resurgent Amit Shah, who has not ceased to stop since his magical UP success. Although not definite, but political analysts speculate that Priyanka’s full time entry will shut the door forever on Rahul’s Prime Ministerial ambitions. But with the BJP expanding rapidly in eastern States as well, Congress immediately needs a charismatic and farsighted leader who can chalk out and successfully implement the party’s revival.
Will Sonia Gandhi finally let go of her dream to see Rahul as India’s Prime Minister and choose party interests over her sonIJ
The writer is the founding member and Data Editor at The Political Indian