The Congress Working Committee has showcased Rahul Gandhi as the party’s face for the future with an announcement that he will be the face of a united opposition authorizing him to decide on all pre-election tie-ups for the 2019 general elections.
This is seen as a bold move and puts to rest all speculations over Rahul’s leadership. It’s a forgone conclusion that Congress is not in a position to take on the might of BJP one-on-one and only a United Opposition could be a game-changer. Congress has realised that it is facing serious challenges in states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Tamil Nadu and only alliances in these states can make its presence felt.
With Rahul as the leader, the Congress has sent a message loud and clear to all the prospective allies who were developing cold feet over backing a leader who is junior to them politically. It remains to be seen how the Congress will approach stand-out senior leaders like Mamata Banerjee of Trinamool Congress, Mayawati of Bahujan Samaj Party and Sharad Pawar of Nationalist Congress Party and work strategies under Rahul’s leadership. This assumes significance for the fact that political bigwigs like Mayawati and Mamata may nurse ambitions of running for the Prime Minister’s chair instead of meekly playing second fiddle to Rahul.
The CWC decision also puts to rest all speculations of former party president Sonia Gandhi making a comeback to lead a united opposition, an idea that was floating in the air since she enjoyed better rapport with several senior leaders.
There is a distinct sense of purpose that is seen in the Congress approach with Rahul at the helm now. With enormous challenges ahead, Rahul has set about his job in right earnest shuffling the CWC by dropping several veterans and infusing vigour in a vintage team. His statements have a sense of purpose: “I am fighting bigger fights. Everyone has the right to speak in a party forum but if a party leader gives a wrong statement and weakens this fight, I will not hesitate to take action.”
However, outside the party Rahul faces an uphill task of stitching together an improbable alliance. He will have to put together a rock-solid team to work out the nitty-gritties of alliances, especially in tough situations like the one with reluctant Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. The Congress president will also have to learn that alliances are about bargains and about living up to all the possible tantrums thrown by allies and regional parties that are ready to jump the bandwagon conditionally.
On the positive side, Rahul’s political maturity has grown enormously. This was also clearly visible in the recent trust vote against the Modi government. It was his hug and a wink that stole the thunder pushing Modi’s huge win to the back-burner. A rare moment where the Prime Minister was outplayed at his own game.
It remains to be seen how much ground Rahul covers with alliances. Can Pappu make the Modi-Amit Shah team dance to his tunes? Only time will tell.
