When Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi issued his oft repeated directives to partymen to shed their lackadaisical attitude and become responsive to the needs of the people, not many shed their slumber. This of course, doesn’t surprise the political parties, least of all Congressmen. The presence of the Congress is hardly visible either in or outside the Vidhan Sabha.
Recently, Rahul Gandhi announced a new system of self appraisal of State PCC chiefs. They are now required to make a report card of their performance. Through this, the Gandhi scion would make a final assessment on the continuance of various PCC presidents. Though Rahul has his sights set on the 2014 lok Sabha elections, UP leaders are yet to get into the work mode.
As far as UP is concerned, party president Nirmal Khattri seldom visits the State party headquarters and remains restricted to his Faizabad constituency. Nearly a fortnight back, when Khattri did make it to the party office, everyone was astonished to find all functionaries present in their rooms. The usually deserted sprawling Nehru Bhawan Congress office brimmed with activity.
People wanted to know whether the Gandhi family was scheduled to visit. But such moments are rare. Khattri, who is completing six months in office, has not been part of a single protest programme or agitation, be it raising the issue of the deteriorating law and order situation against the Akhilesh Yadav Government or creating an awareness on Foreign Direct Investment in retail.
Congressmen remember how the party was in discussion with political circles during the tenure of Khattri’s predecessor Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Now, if the Congress was in the forefront for its various programmes, previous Congress legislature Party leader, Pramod Tiwari ensured that they cornered the ruling party on the floor of the House on different issues like law and order and other lapses on part of the Government. The party may or may not have improved on its number of seats in the Vidhan Sabha but the fact remains that the political opponents took a note of what is happening in the Congress.
What is even more disturbing for party leaders is the fact that the Gandhi family has restricted their visits only to their parliamentary constituencies — Rae Bareli and Amethi. The obvious question doing the rounds is — “Will the High Command focus on the party as a whole or will it just be on VVIP seatsIJ”
In a spot
Recently, TV channel cameramen crowded around Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav during a function held on the occasion of computerisation of Revenue records to take shots. Suddenly someone remarked: “The lights are not sufficient, please put on the lights or else the pictures will turn out to be black.” The remark made everyone turn their heads. And someone said: “I hope you are not reminded of the previous tenure when you are referring to black.” The statement made everyone smile quietly. But then the lights were turned on and the focus was the Chief Minister once again.
At another event, when Akhilesh Yadav arrived to inaugurate the computerisation function, senior Cabinet Ministers nudged at each other so that they could be with the Chief Minister. It was an embarrassing moment for Akhilesh as the organisers made a beeline to present attractive bouquets to welcome the Chief Minister while the other Ministers sat feeling a little uncomfortable since they were being totally ignored.
Finally the Chief Minister asked the organisers to welcome the other senior Ministers as well. The embarrassing moment passed and all was well.
For better opportunities
The Opposition in the State may cry themselves hoarse that the law and order situation is steadily on the decline, the SP is looking ahead as foreign dignitaries are regularly paying visits to lucknow in an effort to make investments.
Recently, the World Bank and other foreign dignitaries called upon Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to discuss the possibilities of investments in the Hindi heartland. This is a step forward in promoting industrialisation in the State. However, this is contrary to the erstwhile Mayawati regime’s policies. The former Chief Minister Mayawati seldom met foreign dignitaries. A senior Samajwadi Party leader did not hesitate in saying how the young Akhilesh Yadav was responsive to the foreign proposals. So, now all are keeping their fingers crossed. All are waiting and watching for things to unfold.