New Delhi: Where is Rahul, is an ongoing television and twitter drama, that television anchors have taken to the cleaners!. In the midst of the speculation on his whereabouts, that Congress leaders are hard pressed to explain, Congress leader Jagdish Sharma, stepped up to the plate and shared a picture of Rahul Gandhi on Twitter claiming he is in Uttarakhand – actually reflecting on his and his party’s future, even as his party has been fighting for television space and relevance, which are currently synonymous in the public eye, over one of the UPA’s signature legislations – The land acquistion bill. Sources say that Jagdish Sharma is a close aide of Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra. Congress sources now say he is abroad and the picutures were taken before his departure. The truth still seems opaque.
A demonstration organized today, the ‘zameen wapsi’ aptly named to draw eyeballs and foot falls at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, will go ahead today without Rahul, the most vocal proponent of the bill in the UPA from Batta Parsaul to New Delhi, missing in action.
What has really made him go missing is a table topic discussion that all and sundry indulge in.
Speculation has it that Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as Congress president within the next few months appears to be a foregone conclusion but a tussle is under way about the choices for his team, with which even Sonia Gandhi is said to be not comfortable.
Congress sources have said there was a genuine worry that the congress could even split if Rahul was to have his way in the transition process, as he wanted his own team to run the party, the way he wanted. He believes, that the losses cannont be attributed to him, as he was not in full control of the election machinery or the campaign and many decisions were not his to make. Yet he was blamed for being ineffective. He wanted to change that.
Several leaders confirmed today that Rahul was upset because of the resistance to some of his choices and he had conveyed to the leadership that he can’t be blamed for the electoral losses if he was not given enough functional freedom. Rahul’s aides, said that he was overruled on several key decisions and certain steps were taken collectively although the blame was now being laid at his door.
However, some leaders said Rahul should draw “correct” lessons from some of his decisions whose consequences had been disastrous.
Several key Sonia loyalists said Rahul’s elevation was the natural course and he would have to lead from the front sooner than later. They said Sonia tried to persuade him to demonstrate greater sense of accommodation and trust her counsel.
One senior leader said: “Who will oppose and why? What are the options? There is complete unanimity in the party that he is the best person to lead the Congress. Soniaji also wants him to take the mantle now. Not much should be read into his decision to take a break. What is positive is that he is now ready to take responsibility.”
Although some Congress leaders had reacted adversely to his leave of absence – some described him as “NSP”‘ (non-serious politician) – the majority view today was that taking a break was not an issue if he intended to assume charge after his return.
Few spoke on record but Digvijaya Singh tweeted in the morning: “If Rahul wants to reflect what went wrong, why criticise him? Everyone wants some peace to reflect. Only, timing could have been better.”
The timing came up because of the budget session and many leaders raised this question, contending that Rahul could have gone on the sabbatical after attending the President’s address and the budget presentation.
Others countered this argument, pointing out that Rahul had never been an active parliamentarian and his token presence could not have been more important than the preparation for the larger leadership role.
Asked if the April deadline was final, a key functionary said: “He himself has been putting an emphasis on elections and he may like to come as an elected president. This may delay the takeover by a few months till the PCC delegates are elected and the AICC electoral college is finalised.” But the process should be completed before September.
The topic of discussion in the party was the team he would pick and many leaders – both senior and junior – had uncharitable remarks to make about Rahul’s choices. The names they reeled out included apolitical entrants such as Mohan Gopal and K. Raju. General secretaries like Madhusudan Mistri, C.P. Joshi, Mohan Prakash and Ajay Maken came in for severe criticism.
One source indicated that the absence of agreement between the mother and son over the team could delay the takeover. “If Soniaji tells him to review his rigid position and build a team on the basis of experience and talent, instead of personal fancy, and move cautiously to minimise negative fallout, there could be delays,” the source said.
Similar complaints are coming in from the other side, too. A section of the leaders complained that Rahul’s distrust of seasoned politicians and preference for apolitical elements could cause irreparable damage to the party.
Although Sonia will no longer be heading the party, her role in reconciling these conflicting perceptions will become even greater. However, Sonia’s health is compelling the early change of guard, and one thing is certain, its not going to be smooth.
Reflections do have their limitations.
