With the Congressional Working Committee finalizing dates for the party’s presidential election, now is the time for the frontline politicians of the main opposition party to show their courage. It appears that the Gandhis have decided to skip this election even though there is strong conjecture that a candidate they support will contest the election. But this cannot be a reason for other congressional leaders to shy away from the fight.
On previous occasions, in the last two decades, none of them wanted to participate in the elections because Sonia or Rahul Gandhi were in the fray. This time that excuse is not available. There seem to be signs that Ashok Gehlot or Mallikarjun Kharge could gain Gandhi support if either of them decides to dispute. Others like Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor can also enlist given their streak of independents.
But the election will not be transformative unless the delegates who elect the president have been elected by their respective grassroots bodies at the district or state level. Sonia Gandhi preferred to balance the interests of the factions instead of holding elections, presumably because one faction could completely marginalize the rivals. The constant refrain was that the elections would pave the way for divisions. But the real reason may be that it reduces central influence over the party’s state units by preventing the high command from appointing key personnel.
In any case, the party organization has gone into a coma in most of the country; so there is nothing wrong with trying the elections. Under the Gandhis, Congress suffered divisions, key exits, defections and major defeats. It can’t get worse under a new leader. This leads to the fundamental question: whether the new leader will be a fully authorized president without the Gandhis directing the action from the rear?
Also read: Congress to elect new president on October 17, results on October 19
Read also: The countdown begins to elect the new head of Congress, the party says it will stick to the times
Read also: G23 pushes for competition, Congress says anyone can submit documents
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