Anil Anand
It is a foregone conclusion now that Rahul Gandhi will be elevated as Congress president before the year 2017 folds. The decision was inevitable but at times reluctance on Rahul’s part and on other occasions intra-party bickering on account of resistance to generational change by the old-guard led not only to delay but at times raised doubts whether he would, in fact, takeover reigns of the grand-old party.
The grand-old party laden with old warhorses, mostly of the variety of riding piggyback on the Gandhi family for success and woefully reluctant to gracefully accept the transition, to be led by a young scion of the family, will soon be the fact of life. The easier as much this line-up might look but, underneath it is a story full of contradictions, intrigues and paradoxes galore.
This uneasy platform is going to be the take-off point for Rahul who has of late shed inhibitions and come out of the self-imposed ban of reluctance which was interpreted and misinterpreted by foes and rivals as it suited them. The twin decisions on his elevation and rediscovering himself are much delayed but a welcome sign for Congress which is hard-pressed to regain its lost ground and glory. The task is cut-out but not an easy one for Rahul as it would entail facing challenges internal to the party and externally posed particularly by a formidable political rival in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rahul would be starting his innings as Congress president in the backdrop of nearly a decade of non-performance as alleged by his detractors within the party and outside it. His disinclination all this while to make his presence felt both inside and outside the Parliament gave enough opportunities to the arch-rival BJP (read Sangh Parivar) to persistently run him down and create a perceptive monster of a disinterested dynast lacking basic understanding of issues and refusing to pick up the ropes and ultimately his leadership being thrust on the party.
Yes Rahul after assuming charge as Congress president will have a tough task ahead. He has every right to chart his own course, pick his own team and change the age-old discourse as suited to the needs of 21st century and a predominant young generation. But he could no more afford to either look the other way, gloss over the issues or be indecisive however well meaning he might be. The time would be running fast for him and the Congress in the face of fast approaching 2019 Lok Sabha elections and enroute polls to over half a dozen state Assemblies.
Even if Rahul and his strategists like it or not his elevation happening under the shadow of Gujarat Assembly elections would be analysed accordingly. A win for Congress or a BJP victory with margins lesser than 2012 polls, it would almost be a rollercoaster ride and provide a perfect launching pad to him. In case of a loss team Modi would be reinvigorated to carry forward their war of perception against Rahul to the general elections.
A win or loss in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections will only be a matter of psychological advantage or disadvantage. Whatever be the outcome the only option for Rahul is that he should be decisive and perform from the word go and usher the party into a era of freshness where new ideas and debate are encouraged.
He would not have the luxury of time to delay galvanising the organisational network which is in a mess. In view of the coming set of elections he would have to run against the time to strengthen the organisation down to the grassroots levels and at the same time be prepared for the electoral battles. The new order is knocking at the Congress’ door which is unpreventable.
Much would depend on Rahul as to how well could he carry the old guard along while preparing a young futuristic team. It is unthinkable in Congress that tried warhorses would either pave way for him or offer to become God fathers to groom the young leadership. Under the circumstances his real test would lie in developing an effective blend of experience and youth.
Rahul would certainly be having his eyes on elections to eight state Assemblies slated for 2018 while he sets out to achieve this blend. Important states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Karnataka will be facing elections followed by Lok Sabha polls.
This apart he will have to fight hard to break the perception that BJP leadership has created about him. Quick but thoughtful decision making and be upfront to turn the challenges upside down would be key to his personal contribution to an image makeover apart from the new found vigour in the social media. He has shown some sparks in the recent days which became more visible in his Gujarat poll campaign but he needs to be consistent in that.
The Gandhi scion’s elevation as Congress president is coming in an environment vitiated by uncertainty and resultant confusion. But a strong silver-lining would be that it would end confusion on leadership issue. Currently, the AICC is sandwiched between a dual command of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi with both having their own sets of favourites. A single line of control will not only eradicate contradictions but, if utilised properly, will help Rahul in decision making.
Apart from winning confidence of his party cadres, Rahul will have the onerous task of changing Congress’ narrative as it suits to the demands of modern day politics. A new narrative would help him in making the party rank and file cohesive and at the same time attract public attention through a genuine approach.
A bigger task that awaits Rahul would be to establish his credibility among the like-minded opposition parties if he were to forge a formidable alliance against the Modi-led BJP. To be fair to the UPA’s allies, they were sick and tired of his frequent hide and seek antics. It is another matter that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was always at hand to cover that gap. This situation would exist no more after he becomes president and onus would lie entirely on him to provide leadership to a future coalition.
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