Political Diary

New Delhi, 4 September 2010

Sonia’s Congress

NUMER UNO OF JEE HUZOORS!

By Poonam I Kaushish

From taking baby steps of being an ideal daughter-in-law to taking giant strides on the political arena, indeed Sonia Gandhi has come a long way. Who would have thought that the dimpled Italian bahu of India’s-then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the early 60’s would metamorphise into the numero uno of the 124-year old Congress. Unchallenged, assertive and confident. Clearly, the ‘outsider’ had become an ‘insider’!

Sonia’s election last week as Party Chief for a fourth consecutive term highlights not only her cast iron hold but also the Party’s transformation from depleting vote-banks in 1998 to the crest to power in 2004.  On a personal note, it is indeed sweet victory for Sonia who had been dismissed as the Italian mama mia who did not understand Indian politics to the most powerful leader on the political firmament with strong views and a deep understanding of what she wants. Who stumps Congressmen, is a formidable rival and endears herself to the masses.

When, what and how did this transformation take place? For starters Sonia was never swept into politics by a wave. She was a reluctant politician who came in as “duty to her family. I had some responsibility to try and save the Party they had given their lives to.” Particularly as Sitaram Kesri’s disastrous Presidency had left the Congress in tatters and only someone from the Nehru-Gandhi family could save it from disintegration in to many factions.

Her Helen of Troy seizure of the Party saw the beginning of Sonia’s new political love affair. True, she is no iron lady like her famous mother-in-law Indira as her seems to believe in the politics of consensus. Some may snigger that this attitude smacks of her being unsure; others put it down to her “don’t-want-to-rock-the-boat attitude and many dub it as smart real politik of a consummate politician.

A leader who willy nilly gets her “loyalists” to build a consensus of what she wants done among Party men which is perceived as originating from the larger Congress family.  Not only that. Sonia has infinite patience who gives her stooges a long rope to hang themselves with. Key ‘Family’ retainer Natwar Singh’s brutal axing a couple of years ago on the Volker food-for-oil scam underscores that Sonia is no pushover who can be a butcher when the occasion demands. Again, she has yet to take action against the late Rajshekhar Reddy son for violating Party discipline in Andhra.

Yet she continues to remain an enigma. Her bold initiatives on the national front have not percolated to the Party organization. Sonia may have stabilized the Congress but remains status quoits. She has given her Chief Ministers and State unit Presidents a free run. Only stepping in to douse dissidence when the occasion arises.

Till date none knows whether it is duty or love that binds this fifth Nehru-Gandhi member to the Party and politics. Her famous tyaag of the Prime Ministership in 2004 showed her as a leader who knew her own limitations, realized her anointment would divide India in to two and astutely anointed her trusted lieutenant Manmohan as the Prime Minister.

Indeed, she had crossed the political Rubicon from an Italian to an Indian. In one fell stroke she gained acceptability across the political spectrum. She had recalcitrant regional satraps eating out of her hands. Be it DMK’s Karunanidhi, Trinamool’s Mamta, RJD’s Lalu and Samajwadi’s Mulayam. True, the Congress has had to play second fiddle in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal but Sonia has adroitly got rid of the RJD in Bihar and Samajwadi in UP for the Congress to revive itself in the States under Rahul’s tutelage.  

However, on another level, Congressmen have not much to crow about. Sonia’s ‘historic’ victory highlights the dichotomy within the Party. On two scores: One, it is suffering from a severe ‘leaders’ crisis. Two, there is no democracy within the Grand Dame. Notwithstanding, pot shots taken by second-rung leaders against each other explained as the Congress’ democratic ways. Sic.

Sadly, the system has become so feudal in mindset that none even contemplated standing against Sonia. Worse, at 64-years she is set for life-long innings as Party President which could prove embarrassing. No Party specially the Congress’ gripped in the all-powering tentacles of deep-rooted sycophancy can afford to have a permanent President. This would only make Congressmen moribund in outlook with no fresh flow of ideas as all would be looking at appeasing the Mistress.

This is all the more ironical as there is no paucity of talent within the Party. There are nearly half a dozen Congress Union Ministers who have shown their mettle as good leaders. But the big question: Will Congressmen accept them? Could they carry the Party?

Therein lies the Congress’ tragedy. It is so besotted by the Dynasty’s mystique that no outsider would be acceptable. See how the decibels for “we want Rahul” are increasing daily. However, as he is being groomed to take over from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh it would go against the Congress’ one man, one party nomenclature. Needless to say, Sonia could appoint “her man” as Party Chief as she did Manmohan Singh, but the latter would still be regarded as her factotum.

Besides, Sonia does not seem to trust many. The scars of the Narasimha Rao era are still fresh. Manmohan Singh is an exception as he enjoys worldwide credibility, has no political ambition and is not a threat. Sonia enjoys a comfort level with him, no matter the snide comments of her being the power behind the throne. Sonia has cleverly demarcated responsibility. He leads the Government and she the Party.

At the same time, it is apparent that Sonia’s wish is Singh’s command. Issues close to her heart are post haste carried out. Its fallout is that many Congress Ministers and leaders who enjoy a ‘personal rapport’ with Sonia do not take the Prime Minister seriously. But to her credit, Sonia has always maintained the protocol.

Significantly, by quirk of fate even as Rahul tries hard to usher “democracy” in the family’s sole proprietorship, Sonia would do well to remember that inheritance is the very anti-thesis of democracy, liberty and reward for achievement. Family legacy is only surrounded by privilege and patronage. It may be a symbol of unity but it is also of aristocracy, arrogance, feudal honours and baseless deference.

It remains to be seen when Sonia will call it a day. Presently, she has bloomed in to the most powerful politician in India, never mind her natural reserve. Her critics dub her as India’s Empress. Yet Sonia continues to retain her trade mark: A mystery wrapped in enigma.

What then is the Congress salvation? It needs to look beyond Sonia and the Dynasty and find answers. Remember, no leader howsoever mighty and powerful is indispensable. The old order has to give way to the new. Congressmen need to quit being tail-waggers and jee-huzoors and re-inject the potency of the Congress mystic. Sonia’s Grand Dame would do well to remember a Talmud saying:  Power buries those who wield it. What gives? ---- INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)