‘Rahul could have got PM’s job mid-term’

Ray · 30-07-12, 11:41 AM

‘Rahul could have got PM’s job mid-term’

NEW DELHI: Although not quite a Eureka moment, Rahul Gandhi's quiet acceptance of a more "proactive" role in Congress affairs confirmed weeks of speculation, promising to set the clock ticking faster for the 2014 election and spurring rivals to frame their responses.

Considering Rahul has been shying from a formal commitment for eight years since UPA came to office, celebrations were muted. The hosannas did follow but they were unmistakably tinged with relief.

Reasons for a thanksgiving are many. For one, the leader has decisively ended a gnawing suspense as his party waited for him to grasp his political legacy. The time for waiting seems to be over as change is at hand.

Matters came to a head, feel party insiders, after the UP assembly election in February-March. Rahul's energetic campaign aimed to reach people directly. It was preceded by stays at dalit homes, an attempt to whip up sentiments against land acquisition near Delhi and promises of carving out separate quotas for Muslims.

Congress leaders say the hard landing in UP with Congress ending fourth with 28 seats might have brought home a hard truth that quick-fixes will not work. "Politics has to be rooted. Campaigns cannot be based on picking a succession of causes without being consistent," said a party functionary.

With under two years to go for the next election — less if the last six months are discounted as a time when decision-making halts — Congress needs a leader to project as Prime Minister. It is clear PM Manmohan Singh will not seek another innings. In fact, sources said, he was actually prepared for a possible mid-term handover.

Just ahead of Rahul's announcement, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi told the media that the decision to accept fuller responsibilities would be his alone but her nudge and sister Priyanka's influence is seen in tipping the scales.

"Rahul Gandhi's decision is welcome. It will help the party and the government," minister of state for parliamentary affairs Rajeev Shukla said. Added Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari, "It has been felt he should strengthen the party and the government. Since 2007, he has invigorated frontal organizations and now there is a strong view that his responsibilities be widened."

Some party leaders hope the UP election jolt will give them an opening to reach the leader. Younger leaders feel his rise will create opportunities. Balancing these expectations will be crucial to how his leadership shapes. It's a tricky tightrope as Rahul has expended his novelty factor by embarking on experiments that have delivered mixed results.

Underneath the welcome mats, lies a lingering uncertainty about how the prodigal's new avatar will work. There is concern the UP misadventure has made the leader look vulnerable. Some of the sheen of being above the fray has been lost. Rahul almost has to earn his spurs all over again.

Yet, he has shown he is no quitter by re-engaging with the party. A small sign of resolve came when he made it a point to visit President Pranab Mukherjee. The gesture, party leaders hope, is a foretaste of things to come.

By common reckoning, if the Manmohan Singh government does not show the will to tackle bellicose allies and take hard decisions to save a stalling economy, Congress will find the going increasingly harder. As the PM looks to perk up governance, Rahul's role could prove critical. Singh will hope for the kind of support Rahul offered to the India-US civil nuclear deal.

The state of play in national politics promises a fractured mandate, making an "uncluttered" vote for Rahul seem a distant hope. There is no alternative to jumping into the deep end.

‘Rahul could have got PM’s job mid-term’ - The Times of India

Notwithstanding the legendary sycophancy that trademarks the Congress, there is no doubt that a change harbingers hope.

Rahul Gandhi's crisscrossing the Nation during the election time is indeed an indication of great energy, but then his speeches are too trite, mundane and absolutely plebeian and he has not indicated ore revealed any Vision for the future of the country.

His personality is more of an energetic schoolboy and there seems to be nothing to write home about.

Will he be able to salvage the morass the country has sunk herself into, should Rahul Gandhi become the PM?

Or should a person like Sachin Pilot take over, if indeed an injection of youth is the aim?

parijataka · 30-07-12, 03:11 PM

Is youth and being the son/daughter of senior Congress politicians the only criterion or ability also is required ?

Ray · 30-07-12, 03:22 PM

Dynastic politics is the bane of all political parties except BJP, Left, TMC (so far), AIDMK and a few others. It is not merely that of the Congress.

However, in the Congress, the only chap I find who is balanced and articulate is Sachin Gujjar (his father changed it to Pilot).

If he takes up the mantle, I think Congress will go places rather than lacklustre Rahil Gandhi holding up the Congress flame!

Nagraj · 01-08-12, 05:14 AM

i just hope Rahul gandhi takes over and does to congress what BJP has been failed to do so.

roma · 01-08-12, 05:22 AM

please someone tell me what i need to know - that is, - the specific names of people who are way way way more intelligent than this RV poor chap (nothing personal ) - i am absolutely confident in the nation of more than a billion people - the nation that produced people like tagore, and SC Bose to name just two - to be able to offer leadership - i mean real leadership after 60 yrs of independence

parijataka · 01-08-12, 11:20 AM

Plenty of talent available for PM post, even within Congress party but unfortunately due to the sycophantic/dynastic nature of Congress party Sonia/Rahul/Priyanka get a free pass.

‘Rahul could have got PM’s job mid-term’

Ray

parijataka

Ray

Nagraj

roma

parijataka

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