cover story
is the one area where decisiveness would count a lot. In fact
intrigues were bred in the Congress’s top structure as all those
who mattered always found themselves cluttered in the comfort
zone with no mechanism of accountability. A convenient ploy for
most of them to hide their own failures was to shift blame on
Rahul and prove him unworthy. Resultantly, prolong their stay in
the AICC or whatever top positions they were holding.
Rahul would have an onerous task at hand of not only
galvanising an organisation which is moth eaten but also
authoritatively break open the doors blocked by certain vested
interest, for the new talent. He would have to try hard and
convince the old-guard to act as guides and mentors for him as
well the new talent to ensure smooth generational transition at
all levels in the party. It should certainly not imply the end of the
road for an entire generation of “tried and trusted” leaders.
He has already broken certain barriers, visible in his political
behaviour and attitude at least in the public. But at the core he
should strongly pursue his own beliefs and ideas not necessarily
conforming too many traits of the old school of politics. Certain
image of him deliberately strengthened by vested interests
would have to be demolished. And the best way for him to do
this is through his actions.
A whiff of fresh air is what Congress, on route to rejuvenation,
desperately requires. Rahul has the capability but his potential
would be under public scrutiny on every step. The long period
of internship in his case has become a baggage. He would have
to act strongly and move fast to offload this baggage. Barometer
still would be his ideas and implementation.
As mentioned earlier, Gandhi scion’s internship lasted for
a longer period but in this period he has emerged as a leader
with whom the strong regional satraps like Nitish Kumar, Lalu
Prasad Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav have no hesitation in aligning
with Congress led by Rahul Gandhi. Interestingly, all these
leaders rose to fame doing anti-Congress politics and represent
a vote bank which was once a Congress strong hold. So, Rahul
Gandhi able to bring a grand alliance in Bihar and to some state
convincing Akhilesh Yadav reflects completely opposite of social
media spoofs that we have been coming across for a decade in
social media. Bringing these leaders into the party fold may not
be easier but he can definitely think of a strong alliance with a
long-term perspective.
But, making his acceptability in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh would
incomplete until and unless he reaches out to the leaders who
were once a strong Congressman but had to left the party and
float their own political outfit. In this bracket, Rahul Gandhi must
try and reach out to at least Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar
and Jaganmohan Reddy. But, for this he will have to show some
distance from the wilting left parties. He should rather send his
party leaders to the events like JNU and keep Mamata on his
board.
However, Rahul Gandhi should not be submissive while making
his roadmap for the six state elections in 2017 and finally for the
2019 Lok Sabha polls. He helped is level best to give Nitish Kumar
a political lifeline by convincing Lalu to leave his ego behind and
forge a formidable alliance and make way for the incumbent CM
12
The Dayafter November 16-30, 2016
for next term. But, when it’s turn of Nitish to extend his support
in convincing Mulayam Singh Yadav through Lalu, he is giving
statements against Mulaym Singh Yadav labeling charges against
the SP supremo for breaking the grand alliance ahead of the
Bihar assembly polls. These are the nuts where his leadership
mettle comes under scanner. Once, the party has announced its
CM candidate for the coming UP polls, what’s the meaning of
alliance talks floating into the news circle especially when its poll
strategist goes to meet supremo of the incumbent government.
When someone is projected as a Prime Ministerial candidate,
it’s not necessary that he or she has to comment on each
and every step taken by the government. For example, Rahul
Gandhi criticizing Narendra Modi for demonetizing Rs 500
and Rs 1000 notes was unwanted when chief spokesperson
Randeep Singh Surjewala had made the party stand clear.
Being a Prime Ministerial candidate, one needs to think beyond
the Aam Aadmi level. A PM needs to think beyond this level
especially when it comes to international matters like terrorism,