Anil Anand
The Indian National Congress is in a serious crisis. More than the crisis it is beset with a dilemma which is difficult to resolve but needs to be resolved hurriedly if the party is to set itself up for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. There are no easy solutions to Congress’ current woes but a beginning has to be made in the right earnest if it is to stay in the fray.
The Congress’ dilemma stems from two factors. First and foremost whether to keep relying on the magic of Gandhi family on road to recovery despite the family losing its charm with the electorates and daunting challenge posed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Or look for alternatives to the family.
Secondly and equally important, how to rev up the organisational structure which is in shambles with faction ridden AICC and the state units needing immediate surgery. The comatose patient has waited too long for the surgery to be performed but it cannot wait any further delay.
The much delayed organisational elections are round the corner and next few months are going to be crucial for the over century old party as it would decide whose commands work henceforth. There is no doubt that the entire scenario will revolve around Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi whose elevation to the top has already been much delayed. Despite all din and dust surrounding his name Congress without Gandhi families is still unfathomable.
Surely, Rahul cannot be blamed entirely for this delay though he has his share on account of his initial nonchalant approach and subsequent straightforwardness in ticking even the senior leaders in questioning their contributions and pointing out failures. The fear-stricken old warhorses apt in ensuring their survival started striking back in their familiar ways though through proxy battles. Net result was Rahul changing his strategy and buying more time. So, the resulting delay in the change of guard.
There are clear indications, in the run up to the organisational elections, that best part of the dilemma on who would call the shots has been resolved. It is improbable that Congressmen are prepared to look beyond the Gandhi family to lead the charge. And it also seems certain that Rahul will ultimately be anointed as Congress president.
The successive electoral defeats though have unnerved the party. Some of those opposed to Rahul’s style of functioning or at least using it as an alibi, have either joined or rumoured to be heading towards BJP. This purge coming in a natural way could act as a blessing in disguise as the ultimate surgery could become easier to perform. But that does not in any way imply that the prospective Congress president need not look inwards and harp on a self-course correction. He has an arduous trek to traverse.
The recent piecemeal changes clearly suggest that the transition has already started. There are indications that many of the veteran Congress leaders have started accepting the reality that the days of younger leadership have come both at the AICC levels and in the states. The reports emanating from Congress circles indicate shifting of some powerful central leaders to their respective poll bound states not only to make way for younger generation at AICC but also prove their worth by strengthening the organisation in the states. At the same time some veteran leaders are in the process of being shifted out of their states for the same reasons.
The only face-saver for the Congress in the recent electoral battles was a convincing victory in Punjab where the veteran leader Capt Amrinder Singh led from the front. The Captain even after trouncing senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley in 2014 Lok Sabha elections never had his heart in Parliament House despite being the Congress’ deputy leader in the House. He always wished to go back to Punjab which ultimately he did.
Probably, it has not only conveyed a strong message to other senior Congress leaders but given them an option to clear the AICC turf for new generation and prove their mettle in the states they belong too. Or, leave their parent states, where they are impeding take-over by younger generations, and use their experience to strengthen the party in other poll bound states.
This model has more or less come into play in the party ahead of the organisational elections. It is meant to clear the ground for Rahul to set up a younger team and at the same time strategically use the services of seniors to help build the party.
Some of the seniors evincing keen interest in the party affairs in their respective states is an indication to this direction. An interesting scenario could develop in two important poll bound states Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. As the reports suggest the old Sonia Gandhi aides such as Ahmed Patel and Kamal Nath could be headed to lead the party charge in the two states.
Likewise divesting Digvijay Singh of AICC general secretaryship and drafting former Rajasthan, again poll bound, chief minister Ashok Gehlot as in charge of Gujarat to oversee elections in the state are pointers towards the gradual transitional shift taking place. Digvijay’s style of acting more as a misguided missile rather than in conformity with the party’s thinking has made him look like a liability. At the same time Gehlot is being seen as someone who has stalling growth of Sachin Pilot as chief of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee.
Moving away from the past practice Rahul has, of late, been confabulating with leaders of various states particularly that poll bound to refurbish the units. Interestingly, he has been discussing the appointment of new PCC chiefs with wider spectrum of the particular state before arriving at a final decision.
This is an index of things to follow which also indicates that the Team Rahul would be more or less in place by the time the organisational elections are completed. The index also points out that the veterans will not be cold shouldered but would be required to put their best foot forward in whatever task they are assigned.
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