The Congress high command’s recent announcement to elevate Rahul Gandhi as the party’s president is a welcome move, but a belated one. Had this sensible move come earlier, the party would not have been pushed to this level. Much time has been wasted to come out of the dilemma - Rahul or Priyanka to lead the party.
The reluctant Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to keep the party abreast in the ever changing political demography of India, did not yield any remarkable result. While he has credibility for his contacts with the youth and he is known for putting in long working hours, it is imperative to point out some of his weaknesses - he lacks in oratorical approach, shows delays in decision making and lacks trust in his coworkers.
Under his responsibility as in-charge of the election campaign, Rahul lost more than 20 elections in states like Bihar, UP, Goa, Manipur, Delhi and so on.
The top priority work he needs to undertake is to pour his new ideas and turn the party into an aggressive opposition. A way has to be found to stand in front of Bharatiya Janata Party, at least, to marginalise the influence of Narendra Modi amongst the voters. Rahul is facing a tough challenge from Narendra Modi whose rousing speeches and leadership abilities has not only decimated the century old party in many states, but also dwindled its vote share considerably.
Sitting in the hegemony position, Modi’s dream of an India free of the Congresss party seems to be turning into a reality.
Faced with debacle after debacle, fiasco after fiasco Congress runs through a miserable and uncertain phase. It is a pity that Congress lacks the imagination, ideology and struggles to match the mighty BJP that is not even half Congress’s age. The elevation of Rahul as president of Congress is a cheerful news amongst the party workers. Rahul is 47, with a long political career ahead. Isn’t it time for him to change his style of workmanship, restore confidence in senior leaders and end factionalism?
- The reader is based in Abu Dhabi
