AND THE SEATGOES TO...

 

 

On September 24, two events grabbed the headlines: India’s victory in the Twenty20 World Cup and the induction of Rahul Gandhi as the Congress General Secretary, a post once held by his father and grandmother, making him the fourth Gandhi to hold the post. The announcement made by CWC member, Janardan Dwivedi, was the signal to riotous crowds, which broke out into a jig at 24 Akbar Road, the Congress headquarters and at 10 Janpath, home of his mother and Congress President, Sonia Gandhi.

On that day, virtually every road led to 10 Janpath. The celebrations that followed the announcement were befitting a prince’s coronation. Amidst the beating drums and loud music, Sonia made an appearance to say, "You all wanted to know when Rahul would join the party. I used to say it is upto him. Well, today he has made up his mind. Now everyone will work together.” Standing next to Sonia, Janaradan Dwivedi says, "With Rahul coming into the organisation, it is certain that Congress will strengthen itself organisationally.”

Rahul’s responsibilities are quite impressive. Apart from being General Secretary incharge of Youth Congress and National Students Union of India (NSUI)–a throwback to the days of his celebrated uncle Sanjay–he is part of the Publicity and Publication Committee and also the 13-member high profile core group, that will look at 'future challenges' that the party faces. Clearly, another Gandhi scion has announced his arrival on the political scene.

Though news of Rahul joining the Congress organisation had been doing the rounds for some time now, mother Sonia–ever so sensitive about criticism –was in no hurry. After all, crucial decisions were taken in the venerable Congress party structure keeping 40% youth voters in mind. “Past experiences, understanding of the present and the role of future, that is Rahul Gandhi’s team,” newly nominated Congress Spokesman, Mohan Prakash told TSI. With an eye on the vast and burgeoning youth vote, Sonia’s changes were not merely cosmetic. New office bearers in the AICC include the rising stars of the Congress: Jyotiraje Scindia, Jitin Prasad, Sachin Pilot, Priya Dutt, Milind Deora and Ajai Maken, among others. Most share one distinctive trait: they are scions of dyed-in-the blue Congress families. In short, Rahul Gandhi’s team is now in place.

According to party sources, while Rahul’s inclusion was a foregone conclusion, it was a question of what his responsibilities would be. Rahul is said to have cleared all doubts on that score: he made it clear that the focus of his responsibilities would be on mobilising the youth in the country. Congress leaders have said that Sonia’s signal is unmistakable. Though she may be the Congress President, the next general elections will be fought under Rahul Gandhi's leadership. Standing in Rahul’s support would be a phalanx of Congress veterans; Digvijay Singh, Janardan Dwivedi, Mohsina Kidwai, Margaret Alva. The other massive column of support comes from the youth brigade and Congress scions. Concurs Oscar Fernandes, Union Labour Minister, "This is the right blend of experience and youth, to be led by Rahul Gandhi. Todays youth sees him as their leader."

There is another side to the picture as well. In the UP assembly elections, Rahul was the star Congress campaigner. Then state Congress President, Salman Khurshid, had declared that the campaign by RG–Rahul’s new moniker–will push up the party sweepstakes. "The elephant (BSP) will collapse. The cycle (SP) will be punctured," he predicted. The results showed something else. The Congress slumped to just 22 assembly seats and a measly 8.51% votes.

Getting off the beaten track, the 13-member Group, the brainchild of Sam Pitroda, to look into future challenges is an ambitious, never-before Congress programme. It's importance lies in the fact that all decisions regarding future challenges will fall within their jurisdiction, even overriding the CWC. The Group has been allotted a separate office space at 99 South Avenue.

Other significant changes included giving the principle of one-man-one post a go by. In a change of tactics, ministers like Prithviraj Chauhan, Jairam Ramesh and Anand Sharma will dually hold a government office and party post. CWC member, Motilal Vora, confirmed, "The ministers who are in the government will continue to be so." Some wings have also been clipped. Salman Khurshid has been replaced by Rita Bahuguna Joshi, daughter of late Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna. Joshi claims that "with Rahul’s induction, Congress won't just sweep off UP but the country as well." Those familiar with Congress-style sycophancy may snigger at her platitudes, but there is a general consensus in the party that Rahul’s entry is certainly the best bet for a party beleaguered in UP and elsewhere in the country.