File Picture Courtesy : Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi’s coronation was indeed the biggest puzzle that kept the political commentators on the tenterhooks for several months, making them predict that the D Day could arrive anytime; it may be next week, next month, before Gujarat elections, after that, or may be before the 2019 General Elections believed all. Having taken the command, it’s time for the new boss to start his new innings and prove his mettle.
Just a few days after he took command of the party from his mother, the party lost elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. The Gujarat show, best in 22 years, can safely be termed as a mixed bag for Rahul and the Congress. The issues in the state had paved a better road and created a fair chance for the grand old Indian party to come back to power, however, a late surge by the Bharatiya Janaya Janata Party (BJP) sealed Congress’ fate. Congress’ tally was impressive, not handsome, enough to rule the state, though.
Nevertheless, the Gujarat show, the second best after Punjab in the last four years must be counted as a big success for the beleaguered Congress witnessing defeat after defeat almost in all the major states that went into polls. After all, such a performance in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s top draw Narendra Modi’s home turf is definitely ‘something for the Congressmen’ to cheer about, and it will provide the party leadership the much needed energy to plan and do better in the other states-Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhatisgarh, Mizoram, Meghalaya and its own ruled, Karnataka -going to polls before the 2019 General elections.
Rahul’s anointment has come at a time, when he doesn’t have the luxury of time to leisurely analyse poll results before planning for the next election. He has to take decisions swiftly and effectively and more importantly instill confidence among his party men and leaders. However, the biggest challenge before the Gandhi scion would be to keep his flocks together, constantly maintain proper balance and synergy among the old guards of the likes of Mallikarjun Kharge, Digvijaya Singh, P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Anand Sharma, A K Antony, Veerappa Moily-the list goes on, and the young leaders like the Jyotiraditya Scindias, Sachin Pilots, Milind Deoras etc- the second generation leaders and children of Congress stalwarts-who are well known in their respective states. While the old veterans, well past their retirement age will try to claim their importance, the younger lot, some of them have the much deserved administrative experience unlike their boss Rahul- will seek prominence. Thus, Rahul has to walk a tight rope and do a perfect balancing act.
The congress party will have to take a unanimous decision as to who to align with or not. Be it Lalu Prasad in Bihar, Karunanindhi in Tamil Nadu or Hardik Patel in Gujarat, partnerships with the regional partners have to be carefully strewn and before that voices of the majority- and more importantly the younger leaders- have to be given due importance, for ruling through the coterie may not augur well for the party or the leadership.
For generations together, young and old alike, Congress leaders have always stood behind the party presidents bearing a Gandhi surname. Then, times were different with Congress being the only dominant party with a pan Indian ruling presence. But post 2014, the narrative has completely changed thanks to the unstoppable Modi juggernaut that refuses to stop.
Now, Rahul has to, on the one hand, keep all his satraps and lieutenants in the right frame of mind, take them into confidence and instill a sense of positivity, and on the other, lead from the front. Like a matured statesman, he must take responsibility for defeats and listen to all, not only a coterie consisting of few supporters. For blame games and raising fingers at one or the other, could well create internal squabbles and in the worst case, defections. More than the opponents, many in his own party would be eager to have a glimpse of his charisma. RaGa has to realize and understand the prescriptions of the changing times. And act. That is the only way forward for the Grand Old party trying to regain its glory.
