The glorious history of Rajasthan, given its geographical location, is replete with instances of valour and comebacks, of success stories pulled out of thin air and against all odds.
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘coronation’ as the virtual heir apparent to India’s ruling dynasty at this week’s Chintin Shivir in Jaipur should be seen in that backdrop.
There was pathos, tears and raw emotion, all ingredients that make up for family melodrama and have the potential to move the masses politically, as few other slogans can.
The Rahul Gandhi that came out was the new face of the Congress: young, exuberant, ready to take on challenges and the country onto another level. More pertinently, there was the promise of new politics, slogans and faces; it was as if a beleaguered Congress party was trying to exorcise the ghosts of the UPA as 2014 draws close and who better than Rahul to navigate the treacherous road ahead?
The unofficial handing over the baton to Rahul was by no means an accidental happening, it was carefully choreographed from start to finish. The developments that unfolded had keeping the Election Commission’s Code of Conduct in mind. First Rahul was introduced at New Delhi’s Ramlila Grounds on November 4 last year to ‘acquaint’ him with party workers; on November 9, in the next round, it were members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) who were formally introduced to Rahul. These were traditional testers to gauge the mood of the cadres – not that it was required – but in the light of Rahul’s somewhat unsuccessful 2012 with reverses in UP and Gujarat, no one in the party was willing to take any chances.
Once the core group around Congress president Sonia Gandhi decided that the Gandhi family grip on the party apparatus had in no way declined, then it became a question of time and matter of completing formalities. As a background to the carefully orchestrated coronation, young ministers were inducted in the Union Cabinet as a first step; the Chintin Shivir then only became an occasion to formalise a political contract which everyone knew existed.
Sonia herself set the ball rolling when she emphasised that policies need to be framed keeping the aspirations and frustrations of the angry youth in mind, whose issues could no longer be ignored.
It was known in the party that there would be a Jaipur Declaration and it would be headed by Rahul. It did not quite happen that way. On the second day of the proceedings, the Jaipur Declaration came and went without causing too much of a flutter; Rahul’s induction became the biggest event for Congress in the New Year.
An actual look at proceedings will tell you that after Rahul, the buzz was around young ministers. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora, Jitin Prasad, RPN Singh and Sachin Pilot, were all flavour of the meet. A very busy BK Hari Prasad and Mukul Wasnik showed that the Jaipur Chintin Shivir, more than anything else, signaled yet another generational shift in India’s first political family.
The occasion had a fair share of its drama. Some virtually unknown leaders delivered speeches saying they were first generation politicians but had been elected in state assemblies and in the party organisation and that they had the privilege of sharing the dais with top Congressmen, thanks to the charisma of Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul’s own speech was a mix. In re-affirming his commitment to the party, he said all the right things expected of him. But he did more than that when he questioned the mode of distributing tickets in the Congress saying it was far from transparent and causing heartburn in the cadres. His unequivocal message: those who jump the queue and those who lose habitually will not be given tickets to contest. Says Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh,“Rahul has raised very important issues at Jaipur, now he has to deliver on them. People would be watching how he delivers on restructuring the organisation and develops regional leadership. He has the backing of all the Congressmen.’’
But no one in the party is in any doubt that the road ahead is tough. Sure there would be restructuring in the party but new leaders can be expected to bring in fresh alignments and perhaps, even new warring groups within. Even though Rahul has assured that even treatment will be meted out to all, the party rank and file continue to remain suspicious of veteran Congressmen, a number of whom can change colours. Clearly, Rahul’s real test begins only now.
“Youth galvanised by Rahul“
Minister of Corporate Affairs Sachin Pilot talks in an exclusive interview
Will the appointment of Rahul as Congress vice-president help the party in UP?
The whole party has been galvanised by the induction of Rahul. There is a new energy. The demand for him to head the Congress organisational structure has been raised since November last year. That demand of the cadres has now been met.
What does this meeting mean for the youth?
The good thing about this Chintin Shivir is that a number of young elected leaders have gathered here who have won elections on the back and initiative of Rahul and other senior leaders. These victories have come in places where we have not won in the last 43 years. These new leaders will set up a new organisational structure.
When you say new organisation, it means the Congress will be run by a new set of rules?
Yes. The new rules of engagement will ensure that the party cadres are not frustrated and feel left out. The youth protests which we have witnessed in the last year will determine our benchmark.
New political alignments could mean new opposing groups.
Sonia Gandhi has herself expressed concern at this trend. Rahul also believes in it. He believes that party cadres need respect. Yes, if it means that the grip of dynasties on Congress loosens or if paratroopers do not get tickets or those who have lost more than three times are kept out of the election fray, then be it so.
Is Rahul’s anointment dynastic?
The answer was provided by the UP Congress chief Nirmal Khatri who said this country respects only those who have made sacrifices and who have thought about the country. The Nehru family tops there and keeps the Congress intact. A number of new people who have won elections have no family connection.
“The focus will shift from older to younger leaders”
Excerpts from an interview with Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad
What is the difference between Jaipur and the earlier two Chintin Shivirs at Panchmarhi and Shimla?
At Panchmarhi and Shimla, there was concern about leadership issues. This Shivir is special because the Congress is in power at the Centre and the 2014 General Elections is on the anvil. This Shivir places special emphasis on problems related to youth and makes it clear that the elections will be fought under Rahul’s leadership. That is the main difference between the conclaves.
At the Jaipur Shivir, you were chairman of the Political Affairs Committee. What was the highlight of this committee?
This time, there was a lot of enthusiasm about political reforms and there was a rush of youth leaders wanting to speak and leave an impression. Put briefly, there was a crying need for reforms in the organisation and the overwhelming view was that there is greater transparency and honesty required in party dealings. At no point of time should the rank and file feel humiliated or hurt.
Do you believe this new spirit will last?
Rahul has categorically stated that the distribution of party tickets has to be a transparent and honest. He has condemned the practice of opaque ticket distribution methods in the party. Obviously, to enforce the new spirit, new rules of engagement will have to be formed, and they will.
Would this emphasis on youth strain relations with veterans in the party?
There can be no doubt about the contribution and the sheer experience of party veterans. They will continue to get their respect and affection while new leaders will get their chances as well. Rahul has said as much. It is likely and natural though that the focus will shift onto the younger generation of leaders.
