By Wahengbam Rorrkychand
The speculation over elevation of Rahul Gandhi as the BOSS of Indian National Congress (Chief of INC) is worth to discuss this time around, after the recent humiliating defeat in the 16th Lok Sabha election.
Political observers across the country cited various reasons of the shameful loss – failure of Congress President Sonia Gandhi- and former Prime Minister Manmohan’s chemistry; unable to materialize the objectives of UPA’s flagship progs, rampant corruption, anti-incumbency, Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi’s lack of vision etc. However, one blaring cause is the year-old undemocratic practice of power play – the dynastic politics- by the Nehru heirs.
Post election, some of the congressmen who are loyal to the dynasty revolted against the hegemony and supremacy of their duo-boss—Sonia and Rahul. And the present humming is about Rahul’s elevation to the top post of Congress party after his mother Sonia poses a serious question to young and aspiring Congressmen who are politically ambitious and willing to serve the nation in future.
Now the question is about the hope and aspiration of the young leaders, who are dreaming to serve the party as President of INC once in their lifetime. What could be the fate of these people, if the supreme power to decide who would run the show is only vested to a few people belonging to a single clan? Is not it autocracy? How could an outsider become a decision maker in an autocratic organizational structure?
On contrary, selection of Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh as President of Bharatiya Janata Party and Narendra Modi as Prime Ministerial candidate are based on performance and need of the party. We the people of this great democratic country need leaders who can lead the nation not someone who seeks blessings from mother and wait for suggestions.
Considering the political career of Pranab Mukherjee, who became the President of India after the Congress’s boss handpicked another staunch loyal Congressmen Dr Manmohan Singh to rule the country for 10 years (22 May 2004 – 26 May 2014) as Prime Minister, it is pertinent to ponder over the future of all Congressmen, whether they could attain their goal if they remain always as fiddle to their inherited bosses?
The recent letter by former Congress General Secretary, Jayanthi Natarajan to the President of INC, Sonia Gandhi that mounted a scathing attack on Congress Vice-president, Rahul Gandhi was a clear indication of her frustration to the dominance of Nehru family inside the Congress. It also sends out a message to all her colleagues- dynastic politics is no fancier; say bye to leadership dominance of the direct and extended bloodline.
The same practice is widely seen in the political scenario of Congress rule states, where son or daughter of congress legislature, who are loyal to the state and national bosses become MLA, minister, CM and even state president overnight.
On hearing the news, my doubt for the Congress as a party run by a single family- Nehru and his extended heirs (I don’t want to bring Gandhi’s family here bcoz the Mahatama was against this infectious practice of dynastic power play) become loud and clear.
It also comes to my mind, is there haven’t any other person in the Congress than him (Rahul). If the grand old party is claimed to be secular and pro-democratic then why can’t they just give a shot for others to rectify the past mistakes.
