Congress: London Meetings to Project Rahul Gandhi
Asia News Agency
In a recent visit to London, a delegation of the opposition leaders interacted with the Indian diaspora, students, academics, and members of the Labour Party created a huge controversy in India. The sessions that followed, writes Arvind Kumar (PhD in Politics, Department of Politics & IRs, Royal Holloway, University of London) “seems to be to project Rahul Gandhi as the only credible face among India’s opposition. In a careful design, other opposition leaders were not allowed to share the stage with Gandhi.
“This was achieved by dividing the delegation into two groups and conducting back-to-back sessions. Rahul Gandhi was given individual sessions whereas others were clubbed together."
Deliberations on ‘Ideas for India’
The deliberations in these sessions were primarily focused on the ‘Ideas for India’, writes Kumar. “The opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, argued that they have been fighting a battle to preserve the ‘Ideas for India’, which is under severe threat due to the unprecedented rise of BJP and its Hindutva ideology. While ‘Ideas for India’ are rooted in the principle of ‘unity in diversity’, the opposition said the BJP is promoting ‘unity with uniformity’.”
It was emphasised, writes Kumar, “that opposition parties across the globe that subscribe to ideas of secularism, democracy, social justice, and diversity need to rebuild ties to counter the draconian rise of far-right parties. Indian leaders argued that Indian democracy needs to be protected from the onslaught of Hindu Right for global public good.”
No roadmap; no learnings
The passionate appeals to save Indian democracy notwithstanding, Kumar concludes “India’s opposition leaders could not provide a concrete roadmap to achieve the results. They also showed reluctance to learn from Britain’s Labour Party, which has shown signs of a comeback after a humiliating defeat in the December 2019 general elections.”
The Labour Party replaced radical Left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn with moderate leader Keir Stammer in a democratic election process. Second, after electing its new leader Stammer, the Labour Party has made a solid shadow cabinet to attack the government and expose its policies. The Congress, argues Kumar “has not been able to make effective changes in its legislative wing…..His attitude in Parliament has been like a stage performer.
“Third, India’s opposition leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi, have repeatedly emphasised the importance of ideas and ideologies over winning elections.” Without abandoning its radical ideas completely, the labour party “back-seated those ideas for winning elections.”
India’s opposition leaders have to introspect and learn.
