The Indian National Congress (INC) Party is often referred to as the Grand Old Dame of Indian politics. Despite being in power for the larger period since the independence of India, the party has deliberately maintained a certain amount of somberness. The party’s chief characteristic is that it eschews a public show of pomp and splendour, something which is reflected in the way its leaders carry themselves—with a certain amount of low keyness. You will never find a Congressman mouthing loud about his accomplishments or being extremely extravagant about his tastes in public. Congress leaders are measured in their speech, they mind their manners and are careful about the way they conduct themselves in public. This is an innate quality among the Congress leaders which is well ingrained through rigorous party discipline and by example of its top leadership. Detractors say Congress leaders are carefull not to outshine the Hon’bl Gandhi family and that they give the Gandhi family members a high degree of reverence, both in public and in private. I ask why not?
The Gandhi family has been associated with Indian politics for well over 150 years. Among the party’s various illustrious leaders, it is one of the chief nay the prime families that have built the present day Congress party. Erstwhile scions of the Gandhi family have been prime ministers of India and have served the country with dedication and commitment. There have been charges by the opposition of high handedness, favouritism and wrongdoing against the family but this charge is not well placed. For a family which is the chief holder of political power in the country, the family members when both in power or without have used their power carefully and responsibly. By the way the Gandhi family members conduct themselves in public, it can safely be ascertained that their mooring are firmly placed in reality and that they don’t have any misconceptions about the fact that power in a democracy is by contract and not perpetual. Often times, the Gandhi family has demonstrated leadership and responsibility in the party when direction within the party was missing. Whenever there is a void within the party the Gandhi family members have always stepped in to fill the gap. What comes out is that they are not so much interested in holding office of power but they are more interested in serving the country and the public. Power has often been thrust upon the family members and they have never pursued it blatantly. To shoulder such heavy responsibilities in the world’s largest democracy is no mean task.
The present arrangement within the UPA of having two centres of responsibility according to me is a brilliant tactical solution to governance in complex times. Under the Hon’bl Gandhi family’s guidance, the political aspect of running a coalition is working truly well. The Gandhi family’s political clout within the country has well managed to keep the coalition intact. On the other hand, Hon’bl Dr Manmohan Singh’s erudite and academic background has given the country one of India’s most well qualified prime ministers. Despite protests over inflation and food price rise, Dr Manmohan Singh is doing an excellent job. However I do feel that the path towards liberalization should be carefully tread upon. I can say that life was definitely much better for the common man in the sixties, seventies and eighties. The rupee had considerable purchasing power, and while salaries were nominal, goods were very affordable. Liberalisation has to be managed well as it is being increasingly felt that liberalization is benefiting the top 5 percent of society only and has infact heightened the income disparity between the haves and have nots. Hon’bl Smt Sonia Gandhi, as chairperson of the UPA and President of the Indian National Congress, is managing the political aspects of the coalition with élan and dexterity. Dr Manmohan Singh, as the prime minister of India is doing a laudable job heading the government. Steps initiated by Hon’bl Dr Singh to make the government responsive, accountable and transparent are slowly and surely bearing fruit. It needs to be borne in mind that changes in the government take years and decades to fructify.
Jealous and sniggering detractors, often ridicule and mock at the present arrangement within the Congress and the UPA. They say uncharitable things about both Dr Manmohan Singh and Smt Sonia Gandhi. Many unpleasant rumours regarding the Congress and their leaders are doing the rounds within the country. But rumours are not meant to be believed. You cannot believe what a disgruntled person says. It could be out of spite or hatred. The public must use its own discrimination and discerning attitude in assessing what is the truth and what is a blatant lie. Allegations and accusations against the Congress party run rife. But to wield power and to wield it with responsibility is a remarkable quality of the party. Opposition parties when they have been in power have shown their true colours. They cannot claim a holier than thou attitude. Corruption scams when the opposition was in power run into several dozens. Harassment of political adversaries or challengers when the Opposition was in power are numerous and countless. The opposition has not proved that it can wield power with responsibility.
Hon’bl Smt Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origins and her Italian background have irked a large section of Indians and certain opposition parties. But despite her Italian background, Smt Sonia Gandhi has done more for India-her adopted country, than many so called patriotic Indian women. Originally she did not at all wanted to be in the muck which is Indian politics yet under public demand she chose to serve India. Fact is there is no Indian women who can match her stature. So what is the opposition complaining about. Hon’bl Shri Rahul Gandhi has shown remarkable maturity in steering himself clear of demands within the party and the country to don the mantle of the prime minister. It shows he has his feet firmly on the ground. He has proved to be a brilliant campaigner and orator and his efforts to democratise the party is worthy of fulsome praise. Shri Rahul Gandhi seems to be making the right moves and sounds by his visits to India’s hinterland and understanding the problems of the country. His efforts to be in touch with India’s poor and downtrodden by extensively crisscrossing the country comes deep from the heart and is certainly not a show for public consumption.
Detractors of the Gandhi family and the Opposition very often complain that Congressmen are fiercely loyal to the Gandhi family. And why not? Afterall, the Gandhi family is the conscience keepers and the custodian of the Congress party.
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