Can Rahul Gandhi revive Congress?
Recent reports said he was off on holiday to Europe with his sister, Priyanka, and family. This might surprise many, given that the Congress continues to find only bad press, even when it is in opposition and away from the spotlight. But what can we expect from someone who sloped off to Bali to relax after delivering the worst electoral performance in his party’s history?
For Congressmen, who are still stunned by the disaster, the scene gets grimmer by the day. Elections in Maharashtra will confirm that the party is in an irreversible decline. Irreversible, not because of the fates, but because there is no effort to correct the slide.
Across western and northern India, the party has been pushed into becoming a permanent opposition. It has not won an election in Gujarat in 30 years (the last time was Rajiv Gandhi’s sweep of 1984-85). It finds itself in a similar situation in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where it will be out for 15 years at the end of the current term. It is no longer relevant in two major states, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has spectacularly revived itself. It has fallen behind the BJP even in Tamil Nadu and Bengal. In Maharashtra, where it has lost only once in history, it is going to be hammered in the election later this year. And so, also in Delhi.
This is a nationwide crisis for the Congress and a revival will require a decade of constant and focused hard work. But, as I said, where is there any sign that Rahul Gandhi is on the job? For weeks, Rahul has been demanding that the Congress get the leader of the opposition post in the Lok Sabha. Why does he even want it? I honestly don’t understand this. What will the Congress do with the post? Rahul shows such little interest in politics and party (his attendance in parliament being one very good indicator of this disinterest) that it is difficult to see such demands from him as being anything other than procedural. Even if Modi bends (something that is unthinkable) and gifts the Congress this purely ceremonial post, it is going to change nothing in the attitude of the Gandhis.
Hundreds of Congressman each spent tens of millions of rupees in the election and lost, many of them losing their deposits as well. These people, who have made a serious investment in politics and do not practise it as a hobby, will be furious with their party’s leadership. They will be wondering whether it is worthwhile spending more in a losing cause. They will need to be convinced that the Congress can be revived and is in the process of doing so. This signal to them can only come from Rahul Gandhi, and yet, we can see no indication that this is happening.
Leadership in Indian politics demands little principle and does not even require high intelligence. Only two things alone are needed: enthusiasm and hard work.
Rahul Gandhi shows no enthusiasm and no willingness to work. I said this on television this week and the Congress spokesman on the debate was offended. He said Gandhi attended so many election rallies during the campaign (as if he was doing his party a favour). Perhaps he did, but even here, it must be said that it was only half as many as Modi.
It is not some brilliant idea or magic wand that Modi produced to sweep the Lok Sabha elections. The ‘Gujarat Model’ was attacked regularly by credible and neutral academics throughout the elections. It is Modi’s doggedness, his determination and his unflagging work that has made him successful.
He contests the game like he has some stake in it. Not so the Gandhis. They seem quite satisfied in defeat. In their behaviour, I am reminded of the later Mughals, who were happy to sell the elephants and to see the family silver go, so long as they were in charge of the derelict palace and held on to their grand titles.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (20)
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@Aysha M: The question "why should there be an expiration date to political parties?" is ultimately decided by the voters in a free democracy. That happens when a once strong political party increasingly tends to become unresponsive to people's needs and demands, and can no longer represent people's aspirations, or devise and implement policies that meets a society's requirements. Indian National Congress over the years had built a traditional vote bank, bulk of which consisted of Muslims, Dalits, OBCs (other backward classes,) other minorities, and of course a large segment of Hindu mainstream population, which successfully catapulted the party to the Parliament as a majority party. But, due to changing demographics and maturing democratic roots in India, the party is not moving in tandem with the people's needs and aspirations, hence the recent elections results. By no stretch of imagination am I predicting the obituary of INC. It may yet prove to be the proverbial phoenix and rise from the ashes. But, it would not be Rahul Gandhi who will lead such a transformation, as Mr. Patel seems to be questioning. He just does not seem to be the person who can fire up the electorate.
The truth is that the Congress party dug its own grave. Over the past few decades, they maliciously used caste, religious, minority etc leftist vote bank politics to polarize and divide the society while all the time preaching secularism.
Younger generation voters, especially the truly secular Indians (not pseudo-secular), saw through the divisive and corrupt political games that Congress has played. These voters decided that the Congress did not represent their values of equality and true secularism and corruption free India and decided to vote the corrupt Congress out of power.
Playing minority/caste politics is a double-edged sword.
Congress should focus on Priyanka who is fair and tall and speaks very good English. Unlike the uneducated Modi, she will be able to speak in English with President of America and Russia.
AP are you all right? What wrong with you today? No Modi bashing, no 2002, only RG bashing, Did you change your DR. or medicine? I think some feku has written this article & pasted you picture on it. You should sue ET for this. I 100% sure it can't be you.
@Arzoo: Not sure why should there be an expiration date to political parties. Why should they fade into oblivion with time. Congress party has achieved a lot for India. The philosophy which has enabled them to impact the political landscape of India in remarkable ways should rejuvinate itself make a come back with a combination of fresh ideas and traditional values and focus on what ails Indian politics today and respond to the changing needs. To encourage 'alternatives' for the sake of alternative is difficult to rationalize, may it be for politics of India or that of Karachi.
Truly, India is now Hindustan. Wrapped up in all shades and hues of yellow. Safron? Now, all the minorities need to check in their Hinduness Quotient, daily....or. Oh, don't forget to slap on your Letter. Front, left chest, above heart. [For easy visibility]. They now come with velcro. Letter,... you know, M for Muslims, D for Dalits, B for Buddhists. N for Nagas,...P for Parsis. Everything will be hunky dory now. Peachy, really. Our Lord Modi has arrived. Hail.
Congress DNA is based on divide-and-rule and mai-baap culture - they cannot escape their genetic make-up. The Congress needs to revive itself at state level and become a credible opposition in key states before it can revive or reinvent itself at national level. However, regional parties today have successfully occupied the space of the Congress in majority of states, by playing the same game and beating them at it; because of this, Congress has no independent identity or unique value proposition with which to position itself with voters - and this is their biggest challenge. The second is the complete absence of leadership as pointed out by Mr. Patel. Right now all they can do is wait and hope that Modi slips up big-time.
Having a cooling off period is good for congress. As you said the people who have "invested" in politics will be looking for other options. This will automatically clean the party from the corrupt leaders. After some time if some credible leader emerges from Party he will be able to revive congress.
The short answer is no. Indeed, Congress can revive only if they rid of the dynasty.
He won't leave, won't lead and won't go
@Arzoo: Very insightful comment. Agree wholeheartedly.
Not only congress but all parties with pluralistic agenda have lost. Indian are demanding India to be what it was partitioned for that is a secular state, implementation of constitution? If BJP is asking for common civil code for women rights, then next election would be common code for animal rights and child rights.
Yes he can.
Just kidding.
Political parties do become irrelevant in time; so what is that unique for Congress to be heading in that direction? Why yearn for it's revival; maybe it has served its' purpose, having achieved the noble goal of Indian Independence, framing the Constitution, getting rid of the feudals, Rajas, Maharajas, and the Nawabs, and leading India towards a democratic path. Congress has become rusty; and has become cumbersome, saddled with the baggage of the past. It would be better if new political parties evolved with a new vision to eradicate corruption and dedicated for social justice and equity in India. For a short period Aam Admi Party looked such a party but that too seems to have bitten the dust. But, in a thriving democracy alternates will develop; have no doubt about it.
No matter which political party runs the government of India , the economic policies are the same, We are living in the era of globalized-economy. Industrialist and capitalist get the first priority in an open-market economy. GDP figures may show the desired % growth, but the common man, in rural Bharat and urban India faces unemployment, mounting inflation , grinding poverty and economic despair.
THE POOR ARE GETTING POORER .
a good article from Aaakar, at last.
Forget if Rahul Gandhi can revive congress or not. It is painfully embarrassing in a country of 1.2 billion people, you still are desperate for a leader on hereditary basis and want that person to "revive" a party. I didn't read your column, just read the title. India deserves better. And I'm from a family who voted for generations for his father, grand mother and great grand father.
May be it's possible for Rahul to settle in Italy and start Congress party there. We don't want any Nehru-Gandhy dynasty anywhere in or around India.
How do you know he is not working? maybe he is "Chupa Rustam"? LOL!