22

Apr

Old versus New: Dilemmas confronting Congress and its leaders

image

My dear readers may wonder why I am writing on the Congress again this week after I had written about the grand old party only a week before. I owe it to you to share my thoughts so that we have a better rapport with you.

In a group of senor journalists of which I am a member, I read a piece on the Congress’s just concluded AICC session in Ahmedabad by a colleague (I am consciously not naming the colleague though who know our world would be able to identify him easily) who worked long years for a national daily. Unlike me, he reported the Congress for many years. I must mention that though I reported the Congress up to 1988 when I was asked to cover the BJP, which I dutifully did till 2008 regularly with a short break when I covered the Congress during 1995-96 when I was sent back to the BJP beat.

Coming back, the piece, which has rather inspired me to take up the Congress as a subject for my column again this week, has painted a very gloomy assessment of the grand old party, which held its AICC session on April 8-9.

His assessment piece with the headline “Rudderless Congress runs aground” opens with these lines: “The Congress appears to be directionless, as was evident from the one-day session held in Ahmedabad recently. Its leaders keep on repeating themselves with no marked improvement in its prospects and refuse to learn from their previous mistakes.”

I am taking liberty to pick up some of the crucial paragraphs from his piece so to highlight his take on the grand old party today. 

“The high command is oblivious of the ground realities, and there is neither any preparation nor strategy that is visible”, the friend goes on to point out, identifying the cause. “The party structure is top-heavy and the AICC has over a hundred secretaries, most of whom do not even recognise each other, and the majority of them have no connection with the cadres.”

Column at a Glance
The author reflects on the recent AICC session of the Congress party in Ahmedabad, prompted by a colleague's critical assessment of the party's direction. The colleague described the Congress as "rudderless," highlighting issues such as a disconnect between leadership and grassroots, a dysfunctional Working Committee, and ineffective communication strategies. He argued that the party cannot challenge the BJP effectively.
Wednesday Wisdom
By Satish Misra
In contrast, the author believes that Congress is making strategic moves, such as holding the session in Gujarat to confront the BJP directly. They argue that the party is beginning to recognise the RSS-BJP as its ideological rival and that the Gandhis remain integral to its identity. The author emphasises the importance of unity and dedication to the party's cause over individual grievances, suggesting that the Congress's future hinges on its ability to adapt and strengthen its grassroots connections. Ultimately, they leave the judgment of the party's direction to the readers.
 

“In addition, the Working Committee has dysfunctional members who are incapable of giving any fresh inputs for the growth of the party, but are there because they are close to the powers that control things.”

“The truth is that the Congress at this moment cannot either take on the BJP or even maintain its cordial relations with its allies.”

“Is the communication department performing to its full capacity, and who has chosen spokespersons, who often embarrass the party by their stupidity rather than countering the offensive of the BJP?”

“Mallikarjun Kharge is the party chief and has the experience and understanding of the current-day politics. However, the impression which has gone around, rightly or wrongly, is that he has very little say in day-to-day affairs, which are controlled by the Gandhi family. The Gandhis indeed have a complete hold over the Congress, and it is very difficult to practically think of a situation where they can be separated from the leadership role”.

“The dilemma is that either the Gandhis take absolute control of the situation, or they should allow Kharge to function with full independence.

“Should younger leaders, who have grown within the party, get more importance instead of being sidelined? Why are leaders such as Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor being denied their due? Should the party be guided by those with left-leaning views instead of being led by its core ideology?

“It is obvious that the Congress is waiting for a miracle to happen. The miracle is that people should get fed up with the current dispensation and consequently bring it to power as a default choice. There can be nothing more ridiculous than this”, the friend concludes.

After reading it fully, I developed self-doubts because my assessment runs contrary to his. It took some time to come out of the despondency that had overtaken me. As I understand that neither he were there in Ahmedabad, nor was I there to cover the event. His assessment, as well as mine, has to be based on either reading media reports by those present there or their assessment, which they either dare not put in their reports or have come to know from deep sources or off-the-record conversations with the leaders who returned after attending the two-day event in Gujarat.

While colleague’s analytical piece based rooted in his experience and expanded on the reliable inputs of leaders who have confided in him is bound to dishearten all those including the ordinary party cadres who look towards the Congress to effectively challenge present day dictatorial regime which is not shy of using state machinery to use against their political rivals but surely gladden the hearts of the establishment.

My feedback of the two days session in Gujarat, obviously based on my understanding of the prevailing objective political ground realities, feedback of leaders whom I have known for decades, runs contrary to my esteemed colleague, whose piece has inspired me to take up the pen again.

First and foremost, the Congress, by holding it in Gujarat, has sent a clear message to its cadres that it is ready to take the bull by the horns in the den of the so-called invincible tiger. Holding it in Bihar, where one of the brightest leaders, Kanhaiya Kumar, recently undertook a yatra for mobilising public opinion and people’s support, would have been futile as the Congress would eventually fight the assembly elections in the company of its INDIA block partners. An AICC session in Bihar would have unnecessarily given a wrong message to its allies.

The INDIA block had given a tough fight to the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, and at a time when the party had not drawn up any program to strengthen its district units. A structured plan has been announced and without giving time whether it succeeds or not, announcing its failure is a mistake in my honest opinion.

Whether Manish Tiwari or Shashi Tharoor are being given any responsibility or not is an issue which only the party’s top leadership can answer but, in my opinion, have the two leaders not been given enough by the party and can’t they not work selflessly for strengthening the party without any expectation. Tendency to  feel ignored is a trait which runs counter to dedication for a cause.

What is more important today for already established leaders in the Congress? Is the nation, its people, and social amity away from the rising hatred in society, stopping Hindu-Muslim polarisation, more important for such leaders who complain that they are being ignored?

For the first time, the Congress, under the leadership of Kharge and much maligned Gandhis, appears to be clear that the RSS-BJP is the ideological rival and there is no confusion on this.

In my frank assessment, the Congress is difficult to imagine without Gandhi, as the BJP cannot remain effective without the RSS. So be it, my readers are the best judge.

**************

  • Share:

About Us

We must explain to you how all seds this mistakens idea off denouncing pleasures and praising pain was born and I will give you a completed accounts..

Contact Us

Contact Info

  • 70, Gyan Khand- 4, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad. Uttar Pradesh.
  • +91-9810533682
  • info@mediamap.co.in
  • Week Days: 09.00 to 18.00 Sunday: Closed