Congress – Blocked arteries. 

Sometimes the truth, candid views flow from nonCongress people. “Rahul is honest, speaks truth from bottom of his heart; BJP is afraid of his fresh ideas, openness; Sudheendra Kulkarni tweeted ‘2021 will belong to Rahul Gandhi’; Congressmen have not used him; supported him.”

Surprisingly this truth has not percolated among Congress leaders. Perhaps like BJP they are also viewing Rahul as a threat for their kind of politics. They were not backing Rahul in 2014, 2019. Rahul is bold enough to talk sense and truth. Maybe they find it inconvenient.

Few of them want to revive politburo aspiring to squeeze in, get a seat and power, perhaps to control Rahul, Congress. Someone should tell them that power flows from people not from bureaus, cupboards, politics. Why do they not get to the field to mobilise people? 

Maybe they may not get crowd even in double digits. All they can do is to occupy positions by seniority, impose their ‘expertise, knowledge, ideas’, block the arteries of the Congress depositing their plaque, immobilise it at every level, without any action, drive, enthusiasm.

Some talk about presidential form of Government; some about politburo, working committee; the same spirit percolates down. Those who went or sent out like Jhas are speaking the same language. Sharad Pawar doubting seriousness of Rahul, questions whether Congress leaders want him.

They are trying to form an unholy alliance of NCP with TMC, TRS and trying to drag in DMK, SP. They are going to fight against ‘holy saffron’ alliance of BJP with POWs(Prisoners of War) as these parties, leaders have swords are hanging over them. This plan suits BJP agenda.

No one wants Rahul and congress. Or they want Congress without Gandhi family or dynasty. They may need Congress to commit suicide by joining their alliance. But will these parties exist till then? Will their unholy alliance survive? They are foolish blinded by greed. 

They are just trying to fish in troubled waters. Sometimes when the paid media gives so much coverage to voices against Congress whether internal or external, it seems they are instructed so by Modi/ Shah/ BJP. Maybe some leaders of opposition are also planted, working for BJP.

Fascists can do anything. Everything is fair in their war. There is no love as that is also part of their war strategy. Modi employs a consultant, he does the same job for opposition parties including Congress, he then joins JDU at the behest of BJP! Now he helps TMC, DMK.

Maybe he is a professional businessman. But Modi/ Shah/ BJP are professionals in the political business; have an unlimited flow of money. There is vast scope for double agents; payments exchanging for inside information. We see BJP drawing blood from opposition ranks using all means.

Congress leaders are inactive in such a hostile environment. We cannot blame them. They are just habituated to such existence. Rahul is an exception with few other leaders. They are immobilised by selfish senior leaders citing traditions, system but with ulterior motives.

Congress is still having its strengths, USPs viz talent, experience, people’s trust in Congress and Gandhi family. Importantly none of the other parties have them. If Congress is inactive, tied down it is because of the plaques in its arteries that is due to its internal systemic problems.

Believing in a steady, conservative, cautious approach is sometimes counterproductive. One can hasten slowly with studied, conscious, concrete plans. Rahul needs full support. If senior leaders are not forthcoming, others can present options, ideas, support for moving ahead.

Dynamism needed

Postponement of organisational elections may not be welcome news for Congress cadres and supporters. Whether Rahul agrees to return as president is not certain. But it would have been better if he had taken his rightful position now than a few months later. 

It is also true that popularity, trust Rahul holds among the people, cadres and leaders and his ability to directly execute Congress plans and programmes are not going to diminish whether he takes over or not. Nehru, Indira were powerful even when they were not party president.

What is affecting Congress is not the presence or absence of leadership but action, inaction of its leaders. Congress as always is cautious, conservative in bringing changes to ensure a healthy transition. It can be dynamic only to the extent its leaders allow or make it happen.

Their leaders are not proactive and do not volunteer their services. Whether it is towards the people or even to their party. They wait for their position, assignment and recognition. Rahul volunteers his services even after resignation. It is taken as his duty as part of the dynasty.

Rahul is realistic and knows about the weaknesses, limitations of Congress and its leaders. He may be waiting for changes to happen in the normal course. Sometimes it results in losing opportunities. They have to make things happen. Dynamism is needed.  

Maybe they do not see the need or urgency. They are waiting for the failure of Modi and not working for their victory. Modi’s regime and the sufferings of the people are not going to end with farmers’ issue. They are underestimating the scope, opportunities, threats that exist.

The changes in working committee, additions, deletions of names whether elected or otherwise are not going to make much of a difference. They are just beating around the bush. Congress should change its approach; inject dynamism, drive, aggression; allow free flow of ideas. 

It is not necessary to restrict such a flow. It does not mean that they do not have talents. The criticisms, comments, observations, ideas, information from outside the small circle of decision-makers may be objective, valuable. Perceptions may be wrong; should enlarge vision.