But with the Congress party facing crisis, and faring badly at successive by-polls, what happened was inevitable. Rahul Gandhi, this weekend, was elevated to the position of party vice-president and will almost certainly be its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 polls. The politics of dynasty, seen too at home, then continues. The son, grandson and great grandson of Indian prime ministers begins his quest for the same spot. So far, he has shied away from assuming too much party prominence, but it appears that at this point, the party sees hope for electoral success only in a Nehru-Gandhi name.
Rahul’s acceptance speech at Jaipur hit all the right notes. He spoke quietly but eloquently of doing more for the deprived masses of India, closing the gap between them and the rich and decentralising power. He also spoke of his love for the Congress party. The speech was largely a conventional one. The real test lies ahead as he makes his bid to rejuvenate what currently looks like a flagging party and gives it some hope at the upcoming polls. His efforts and his leadership style from now on will be under the closest scrutiny as he takes over the reins of power.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.
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Yes world's largest democracy! What a shame! Indians should do better than that, how can they allow this in todays age? Rahul's only credentials to heading the party seems to be the family!