Congress
A window into the crisis that Congress faced in 1997. The then Congress chairman, Sitaram Kesari couldn't keep the party leaders in tow and the entire party seemed to be bursting at seams. Many leaders were making haphazard public statements, and abandoning the it-seemed-sinking ship. There was no national figure to keep the party figures reined, and the second line party leaders themselves did not have much public base.
Looking into the history of Congress party, many of it's leaders were the independence leaders with a huge public standing. That was the base on which they grew. It was a kind-of democratic party, where one grew on one's capability and public service and not one's subservience to the party leader. This ofcourse, till Indira Gandhi came, and changed the structure to a top down party, where allegiance to party leadership, and kow-towing before it mattered the most. Leader without public backing didnt have a leg to stand on, except for Ms Gandhi's offered crutches, and effectively to cemented her iron grip on the party. However, it also led the party to near demise post Rajiv Gandhi's assasination.
Back to 1997, folks literally begged Sonia Gandhi to assume leadership. I wasn't sure what that would achieve - she was a Gandhi, no doubt, but did not have any further experience. I argued then that Congress should go back to the people and build a democratic organization from it's roots. That will take time, but build real leaders, rather than bringing in a Gandhi patch to save the day.
As it turned out, Congress was real lucky. Sonia Gandhi has won my admiration. She has such a feel for the nerve of the country that many Indian born leaders haven't been able to figure. She has political astuteness and knows her bounds. She is smart.
But this is pure luck. Yes, there is Rahul Gandhi in the offing to take over, but even then this is luck. Look at other party leaders, does anyone have any real public stand? Aren't they all again leaning on Ms Gandhi to bolster them? 1997 has given them an opportunity and a breather to rebuild the party ground up without risking facing extinction. Why are they short sighted?
Looking into the history of Congress party, many of it's leaders were the independence leaders with a huge public standing. That was the base on which they grew. It was a kind-of democratic party, where one grew on one's capability and public service and not one's subservience to the party leader. This ofcourse, till Indira Gandhi came, and changed the structure to a top down party, where allegiance to party leadership, and kow-towing before it mattered the most. Leader without public backing didnt have a leg to stand on, except for Ms Gandhi's offered crutches, and effectively to cemented her iron grip on the party. However, it also led the party to near demise post Rajiv Gandhi's assasination.
Back to 1997, folks literally begged Sonia Gandhi to assume leadership. I wasn't sure what that would achieve - she was a Gandhi, no doubt, but did not have any further experience. I argued then that Congress should go back to the people and build a democratic organization from it's roots. That will take time, but build real leaders, rather than bringing in a Gandhi patch to save the day.
As it turned out, Congress was real lucky. Sonia Gandhi has won my admiration. She has such a feel for the nerve of the country that many Indian born leaders haven't been able to figure. She has political astuteness and knows her bounds. She is smart.
But this is pure luck. Yes, there is Rahul Gandhi in the offing to take over, but even then this is luck. Look at other party leaders, does anyone have any real public stand? Aren't they all again leaning on Ms Gandhi to bolster them? 1997 has given them an opportunity and a breather to rebuild the party ground up without risking facing extinction. Why are they short sighted?
Comments
So, what makes you think that Sonia Gandhi has the pulse of the nation?
Interesting that u turn pages of history and talk about Congress when BJP is crumbling in a similar fashion.
Yes, Sonia has surprised many and Rahul seems promising too. I don't think this is luck, though. These two have worked their way grounds up and have created an identity of their own... Somehow, I find this generation of the Gandhi dynasty very mature & apt for governance.
And I'm just glad that u r back to writing... :-)
:)
No, seriously, looking at her agenda in the previous election which was deemed as foregone BJP win, installation of Manmohan Singh, her adept behind the scenes politicking, and her careful performance in this election and ability to turn tables on BJP, the gradual coaching of Rahul Gandhi... all these seem to be exactly what most Indians expect.