Even after people voted against the dynasty politics, Congress Party members are not ready to think beyond the Gandhi family.
The aftermath of the 2019 elections saw failure and downfall of the Congress Party and thereafter, resignation of Rahul Gandhi as party chief. A lot of names made the rounds for the position of party chief. The drama did not seem to end with more and more Congress leaders leaving Congress to join Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and the search for party chief being extended. Though, the remaining Congress members tried hard to convince Rahul to take back the charge of party chief, all attempts were in vain. Even the five sub-groups formed region-wise to choose the new Congress president had recommended Rahul Gandhi’s name for the post, but the outgoing president refused to take the charge.
After this downfall, what Congress needs is a young leader who can revive the party, who can launch a search for finding educated, energetic members for the betterment of the country. The requirement is that the party members come clear of corruption charges and the party formulates well-researched policies. However, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) nominated Sonia Gandhi as the interim Congress president on Saturday, as non-Gandhi names failed to get votes. Party sources said Sonia was initially unwilling to accept the role of interim President, but she accepted after party leaders convinced her to take the post to keep the flock together. It was sad news for the country. Many political leaders have condemned the move and are now questioning the survival of the grand old party and the Gandhi family and it feels that the party is not ready to learn from its mistakes. The Congress Party is supposed to be having the largest member base. However, it failed to inspire its member base and gain votes.
Instead of going ahead and finding new leadership, the party went backwards. We never say that Sonia Gandhi was a bad leader, but in the current scenario, an energetic, young, honest and ambitious leader was required to show the correct path to the party. It is high time for the party to understand that the people of the country are against the party’s dynasty politics. It feels as though the Congress lacked honest, good leaders and hence, the party could not find a non-Gandhi as its head.
Now, the time can only tell if the party will appoint a permanent non-Gandhi chief or if they will make Sonia Gandhi a permanent party chief. The question that remains is, will Sonia be able to take the party back to its previous high or will the present situation exist? For any Congress chief, it is going be really difficult to stand against the ruling BJP, especially after the BJP won the Lok Sabha election with a massive majority. Nevertheless, it is still not too late. If the party tries hard keeping only people and the betterment of the country in mind, there is a chance that it may rise again, but planning, execution and strong leadership are required.
