Congress has two options: Dynasty or democracy

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The Congress story is turning from bad to worse. It is time for Rahul Gandhi to introspect and take some hard decisions about self and the party. First and foremost, it is time for Rahul and 10, Janpath to stop thinking that they are sole Congress saviours.  The desire for eternal power may be tempting or intoxicating but it is tempering to conclude that entire Congress party and its leaders are simply incapable of running the organisation or getting it right about the country's affairs. Six years of P V Narasimha Rao rule and two years of Sitaram Kesari speak for themselves. Given the Congress's contemporary history and in-house culture, prospect of a revolt or call for change is unlikely to come from within. Perhaps Rahul needs to rely on “Sonian wisdom” (Sonia’s ability to self evaluate) to take a crucial call. It goes without saying that the outcome of five state assembly polls has once again shown that a deep rot that has set in the grand old Party. Victory in Punjab is not a saving grace for Rahul where regional satrap Captain Amarinder Singh led from the front. Amarinder Singh had defeated BJP's towering leader Arun Jaitley during 2014 general elections when the entire country was swept by the Narendra Modi wave. In this context, Amarinder Singh is the true winner of Punjab. Rahul should be careful if sycophants try to crown him with the victory of Punjab. It is time that 10 Janpath gives a serious thought to Rahul's elevation as Congress president, both in moral and practical terms. The options before 10, Janpath are few. Some Congressmen feel Rahul should confine himself as head of Congress parliamentary wing and let Priyanka run party organisation. The Congress has a history of Nehru-Gandhi family members functioning as a 'pair'. Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi had a long run and then both Sanjay and Rajiv Gandhi worked with Indira. Sonia and Rahul having been working together since 2006 when Rahul was first appointed as AICC general secretary. The other and more credible option is to announce party polls and settle the leadership issue through a contest. While the dice is heavily loaded in favour of Rahul (in case he jumps into a contest), a challenger from among Shahi Tharoor, Kapil Sibal or Sandeep Dikshit would bring in a semblance of inner party democracy.  Names of Tharoor, Sibal and Dikshit are not picked randomly as these conscientious leaders are known to air their reservations about the present-day Congress. These options may provide temporary reprieve to the family and strengthen the party. Rahul is himself to be blamed for the sorry state of the party. It is shocking and baffling that a man who strongly advocated transparency and inner-party democracy, has been oblivious of sentiments of his own partymen at all levels of the organisational hierarchy. His decision to align with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh was not discussed or debated at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting or the AICC, UPCC forum. There were many more follies. If Samajwadi party and the Bahujan Samaj Party were indeed willing to come together (albeit post polls), why did Rahul fail to pitch for a mahagathbandhan consisting of both SP,BSP, RLD and rope in Nitish Kumar to check exodus of jats, other backward classes etc to the BJP. There was no explanation offered as to why Priyanka Gandhi did not campaign for the Congress and SP alliance. Her proposed joint rallies and road shows with Dimple Yadav never took place, demoralising the party rank and file. It was disappointing to hear Rahul lamenting over “communal polarisation” in Uttar Pradesh as a major cause of defeat. Narendra Modi led BJP’s victory in UP assembly is a combination of factors including inspirational leadership, hope and emergence of “New India.” If Rahul dwells upon communal polarisation angle more dispassionately, he will find himself and ally Akhilesh Yadav in a mess.  If the RSS-Jana Sangh-BJP indeed managed to win support of millions on “ideology,” why did the Congress and other “secular” outfits failed to counter it? When Muzzafarnagar riots took place and a shocking incident took place in Dadri, what were Rahul, Akhilesh and Ajit Singh doing? Did they make any substantial effort to bring conciliation between Jats and Muslims in western UP?  If Rahul had teamed up with Ajit Singh and local Hindu-Muslim leadership to visit village after village seeking pledge for unity, his political graph would have gone up considerably. Alas, such Gandhian thoughts did not cross his mind. A question that comes to mind after every instance of communal disturbance in the country, where are thousands of volunteers belonging to ‘Sadbhavna ke sipahi’ a pet project of Congress president Sonia Gandhi? Sadbhavan ke sipahi forum was launched in 2002 by Sonia herself to promote social unity, spread a message of peace, harmony and brotherhood. Actor Sunil Dutt (now dead) was made head of the corp. and its advisory panel had consisted of Manmohan Singh, Sharmila Tagore, Jairam Ramesh, Salman Khursheed and others. Surely, Sadbhavna ke sipahi charter was not to die with Sunil Dutt or revolve around Gujarat outrage? Team Rahul is a curious mix of professionals, idealists, mavericks and seasoned campaigners. Like Mughal court full of Uzbeks, Rajput chieftains, Syeds and others, there is no dearth of Congress leaders who have a potential to take on political opponents. But Rahul needs to first get rid of overbearing Bairam Khans and take direct control of party rather than being a tool of palace intrigue. Instead of anger or rolling sleeves, he would instill more confidence among faithful and voters alike with his smile, quick wit and decisive action. (The author is An Associate Editor with The Telegraph, Calcutta) Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.