Today the Congress party is on a threshold. It has its vast history behind and an unpredictable future ahead. It has ruled the country for majority of the period since independence. The country has grown in Congress rule all through the years. However, while the Congress can boast of bringing the present prosperity to the country, it also has to take the blame for the unfinished tasks still at hand, even after 65 years of independence.
The Congress of earlier times immediately after independence was fondly identified with the Charisma of an aristocratic Nehru and firmness of Indira Gandhi. Nehru had his own style of functioning, which was characterized by broad thinking, thinking the larger picture and love-all type qualities. He did not take any harsh decisions on any international matters, which could have been his strategy or weakness also. At the same time, Indira Gandhi is known more for her arrogance of power, absolute control of the party & people with some blackmailing tactics as well.
Sanjay Gandhi would have been a true successor for the Congress party, but destiny had something different in mind. Had he survived the crash, today Varun would have been in place of Rahul and vice versa. Sanjay was a politician who died in a plane crash while Rajiv was a pilot who died in politics. Rajiv became successor when he was not yet ready to take over the reins. Yet, it is remarkable that he showed all the qualities of a good learner and led the party well.
Sonia was a reclusive person after Rajiv’s sad and untimely demise but subsequently got drawn into politics. However, once she took the plunge, she ruled with full power. She realized that the congressmen were looking for someone to lead them and she made the full use of that opportunity. There is not a voice of dissent within her party. Even those who had left the Congress on the issue of her origins became allies of Congress at state as well as centre level. However, her rising health concerns, which require her to visit US occasionally, mean that she may not occupy the top spot for a long time.
However, the so-far-smooth continuation of Nehru – Gandhi dynasty hit a temporary road block with the next generation. Rahul has been a reclusive leader who never meets media nor makes any intelligent points in the parliament. He never gives interviews and does not participate in debates. He is always well protected with senor leaders around him. He gets advice from a coterie called ‘young brigade’. While his campaigning has not been very successful so far, Congress is continuing to bank on him with a hope that someday he starts delivering on ground.
Priyanka Gandhi has been making some stray appearances during election season, but has not been actively in the news consistently. Her joining politics is as unpredictable as the monsoon of India. Added to that, the recent revelation about Robert Vadra has made her entry more difficult in politics. At one time during the campaigning of UP assembly elections, Vadra was seen campaigning with his team of followers. However, his possible entry into politics also is now indefinitely deferred.
For the first time, the Nehru Gandhi dynasty’s future looks bleak in Indian politics. Unless of course, some miracle happens. And miracles do happen in Indian politics. That too, quite frequently.
Outside the dynasty, the Congress has a very fractured and fragile structure. There are some senior leaders like Chidambaram, Antony and Kapil Sibbal who are Sonia Gandhi loyalists. All these leaders are past their sixties and they would be very uncomfortable in working under immature Rahul Gandhi. So, in future, if Rahul Gandhi is thrust on the party and Government, there is likelihood that they may either revolt or retire.
That is why, a young brigade is currently being formed, comprising of young MPs like Deora, Pilot, Scindia and Tiwari etc. so that whenever Rahul takes over in future, he is supported by this group. These are all in their thirties and forties and have a long innings ahead of them. They do not mind following a same-age Rahul Gandhi. However, as and when this happens, there would undoubtedly a cold war between the old veterans and the young Turks within Congress.
Simultaneously, with the strengthening of regional parties in India, the two major national party’s position has considerably weakened. They need to have the support of allies’ both pre and post elections to form the governments. And the support comes with a price. Today the Congress government is on ventilator with the outside support of Mulayam, Mayawati and Karunanidhi. If any two of them decide to vote against it, the government falls. These people are supporting the Congress just to suit their personal needs and not for any charitable purposes.
The grass root worked of Congress party is most disillusioned person today. He is seeing a corruption-a-day. There is hardly any Congress leader not involved in any case. There are state level fights erupting as witnessed recently in Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. The state leadership in these and many other states comprises of the semi literate goons and mafia. The chances of good people joining politics are becoming remote with passage of time.
Under these conditions, it appears that the party which ruled India for so many years is finally facing extinction soon…!
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