‘Imposters’

The dissenting voices float a theory that they have built the Congress and they have a right to guide, represent, develop and safeguard it. If they have really built the Congress their masonry skills come into question. The structure is not anywhere near good shape or health.

When Congress fails is it only because of Gandhi family? When it wins is it because of ‘Sanjay Jhas’? One has to laugh out loud. They do all the mischief and set the house on fire. They blame or flee to serve their ends or egos; shout for saving Congress structure, not its family.

The glee with which these ‘Congressmen’ express and enjoy the failure of the Congress at the hustings definitely indicate that Congress really failed to assess their merit when recruiting them horizontally. They are more of nuisance value than of any usance value they accrued. 

The Charisma of Gandhi family was never the only factor for the victory or failure of Congress post-Nehru era and maybe even before that. There were always many different factors that had impacts on results. But ‘imposters’ in Congress definitely were responsible for failures.

Most of the people are silently undervaluing the contributions of Sonia Gandhi in resurrecting the Congress in 1998 and leading it to the eventual electoral victory in 2004. Dynasty was then needed to bind Congress together and save it from ‘wolves’ interested in leftover meat.

When Congressmen need the Gandhi family they should serve to revive and restore Congress. Then they should leave the space to true ‘Congressmen’ to lift it to its ‘pristine glory’ or destroy it in their usual ways. The services of the ‘dynasty’ should again be available.

The ‘imposter Congressmen’ were always selfish and ready to hand over the cross to others to bear the weight of failures. They roam around freely escaping blames when weather is rough; flee and float their groups; create a living space for their peaceful, comfortable existence.

When these imposters are out of their power and position, they release all their ‘intellectual stuff’ to pollute the atmosphere with utterances which do not have any logic or reasoning. They periodically dish out their satanic verses to demonise Gandhi family and destroy Congress.

‘Dynasty’

Gandhi family is the soft target for most of the motivated misinformation. Dynasty buck easily sticks. They cannot deny their lineage. But this weapon is used with a poisoned tip to inject a perception in people’s mind. Nehru was a true democrat. Gandhis truly followed him.

Indira only defended or asserted her position politically when there were concerted attacks from all sides. After her, Gandhis were less assertive, more soft, persuasive. It turned out to be a weakness.  We should welcome this kind of ‘dynasty’ and not the demons like Modi/ Shah.

Whether it is Sonia, Rahul or Priyanka they exhibit much love, care and concern for the people of India. Even after the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv, they had the fortitude and forbearance to make a comeback to protect, safeguard Congress legacy and culture against all odds.

The stories, theories that float around about the coterie or kitchen cabinet behind them are based on misconceptions. They need a support system to collect information, interaction, processing and decision making as may be necessary. People may call it by any name they want. 

It is very natural that for the top leaders to have persons, leaders who they find comfortable to work with. Even between Sonia and Rahul this comfort factor may vary because of their age and approach. Is it necessary to select them on seniority or electoral victories?

In a day-to-day interactive support mechanism, discussions about information, ideas remain in various formative stages. The persons should enjoy trust, confidence and comfort of their leader to avoid premature leakage of information, smooth discussions, evaluation and execution of decisions.

Some may call them as cronies. There may be many reasons for using such epithets. The focus they get is incidental to the tasks assigned. Their position may be temporary. Persons may come and go. But complaints, envy, jealousy are permanent. It is not a healthy approach.

There is always scope for improvement in any institution or organisation. There is requirement for continuous monitoring, assessment, analysis to effect timely changes when needed. Criticisms should be constructive; not destructive; should ensure growth of confidence within.