I am, says she!

Delhi watchers, focusing on the INC office or Sonia Gandhi’s residence, must be disappointed at the outcome of today’s events. In attendance at the CWC meeting were Rahul, Priyanka, and the Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot from Rajasthan, Channi from Punjab, and Bhupesh Baghel from Chhattisgarh. Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma were present too.

Sonia Gandhi bluntly stated at the meeting that she was the ‘full-time, and hands-on’ Congress President.

The post of Congress president has remained vacant since party leader Rahul Gandhi resigned after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Since then, Sonia Gandhi has been leading the party as interim president. Interestingly Ashok Gehlot proposed in the CWC meeting that Rahul Gandhi should lead Congress, which was supported by all members, which may have rattled Sonia.

Sonia Gandhi reprimanded the G-23 and, particularly a senior leader, Kapil Sibal, though not by name, that members must stop venting their grievances through the media. I make it clear once and for all,” she roared. Simultaneously the INC released her speech on Twitter, contradicting their party president’s directive to keep things within the four walls of their office.

Last month Sibal had taken a dig at Rahul, following tumultuous political scenes in Punjab. Many Sonia loyalists gathered outside Sibal’s home and mocked him. But, strangely, Ghulam Nabi Azad came to the rescue to express full faith in the present leadership of Sonia Ji. Azad was a vocal critic of the Gandhis and a member of the G-23.

With the usual rhetoric of opposing Modi and his government, from the farmers’ protests to fuel prices, she made another statement that the younger leaders are working, taking a dig at the senior leaders. Or was it a ploy to keep Rahul brigade in good humour?

There are a few Chanakyas in every party who whisper in their party president’s ears. They could be influential, like SS Ray advising Indira Gandhi on the legal propriety of imposing an emergency in India. Sonia’s circle of loyal advisors is very few, like Venugopal and AK Anthony. It is difficult to say what had prompted Sonia’s insistence to announce her continuing as the president. Was she afraid of a coup d’état from Rahul and his followers? Or was Rahul afraid of being sidelined by Priyanka? Or could it be a takeover of the party by Priyanka, Robert Vadra, and their coterie? Robert Vadra has been making attempts to enter mainstream politics in U.P. for quite a while is no secret.

One thing is certain. There is heavy turbulence down under the relative and deceptive calm surface of the congress party. If overlooked for long, I would not be surprised if an emotionally exasperated Rahul hangs up his boots and takes a hiatus to Colombia or Thailand.

Happy Dussehra!

Sampath Kumar

Intrépide Voix

In Pic: The Gandhis