Jaipur conclave of AICC sufficiently reflected introspective mood of the Congress, something that was eagerly expected by political punditry. The Congress chief broke the ice by obliquely mentioning about the fault line with admonishments to set the record right. But the warning as well as inspiring note came from Rahul Gandhi, now the Vice President of Congress, a position that was assuredly there for him to own. He has been campaigning vigorously for his party, albeit with some debacles in the process, but usually shied away from commenting on broad national policy matters including economic situation of the country. It may be that he deliberately avoided getting bogged with controversies that would have created misunderstandings as he was preparing for a more serious role.
Rahul’s speech at Jaipur session of AICC was tinged with concern and anxiety for the way in which Congress has been running the affairs of the state in recent years. Seldom have we heard scathing self-criticism pronounced by a very responsible Congressman and in public or in party sessions. Therefore what he has said is a clear indication that the Congress has got to change its mindset if it wants to remain in power and continue its 127-year old sway over the masses of people of India. Rahul has very candidly and with great concern said that power in our country remains concentrated only in higher echelons of political leadership and has not percolated down to the masses of people. A big void has appeared between the people and party leadership. Healthy and regular liaison between the masses of people and the rulers is the soul of democracy.
Obviously, having worked tirelessly in his capacity as the leader of youth forum in the party, his speech was devoted for the most part to the affairs of the youth of this country. However, he took care to give the elders and seniors their due while speaking of empowering the youth. He would not give more importance to any segment of society but ensure that all of them, the youth, the elders and the women are given a fair deal. He promised to listen to them with equal response and attention. The more important part of his speech dealt with the alienation of the youth and its dire consequences for the polity. Describing the reasons why the youth of the country are angry and defiant, Rahul has very rightly said that they have been denied political space and their voice has not been heard. Their aspirations and their innovative faculty of head and heart have not found flourishing. In such a situation, the youth is bound to be angry, defiant and dismissive. This mindset needs to be changed.
Rahul has so far said little about his views on how best to manage Asia’s third largest economy which is headed for the slowest rate of growth in a decade this financial year and to which the Prime Minister hinted at in his short speech. Rahul called for an end to red tape and outdated laws that slow job creation for the youth. Along with his mother he has recently thrown his weight behind economic reforms that Prime Minister has pushed in a bid to revive growth and stabilize economy. With no direct reference to his own hereditary ascent to prominence, Rahul Gandhi lashed out at entrenched elites who, he said, stifled talent in India and fed discontent among the youth. “Power is greatly centralized in our country; we only empower people at the top of a system”, he said.
The theme of youth that dominated the three-day meeting, called to analyze challenges the party faces before the elections, echoed the 1980s era that brought his father Rajiv Gandhi into politics after the death of Indira Gandhi.
By and large, Rahul’s plain speaking about the aberrations suffered by Congress party during recent years has been received with satisfaction by the Congressmen working at grassroots level. He has stepped in at the right time as parliamentary elections are round the corner. The country wants a change in our entire political mindset. The legacy of the days when freedom from alien rule was the primary goal of Congress has to be replaced by current social, economic and political priorities. The Congress being the oldest and most experienced political party can play the crucial role of pulling nation’s chestnuts out of fire. We very earnestly need young leadership to lead the country with new vision and new perspective. Congress can initiate that narrative because it has the experience, network and the vision based on the history of struggle for freedom. Rahul’s effort of energizing Congress has come at right time. Consolidation and induction of new blood in the veins of the party will go a long way in making its position stronger and will prepare it for the crucial parliamentary elections scheduled for 2014.
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