Congress: Sonia In-Charge; Priyanka on Offensive
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
Sonia Gandhi, in a strong assertion, has said she is a hands-on president of the Congress. Her bold performance at the last meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on October 16 can leave no room for doubt on that score, although leading issues still remain, writes senior analyst Anand K Sahay. She was critical of the government’s economic policies, the insecurity caused to the minorities and dalits, and the country’s humiliation by China in Ladakh.
If the Congress does reasonably in the coming state Assembly elections in UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa early next year, and then in Gujarat, the party should be able to project optimism for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In that case Sahay feels “the party will doubtless retain its primacy in any national grouping of anti-BJP forces in the country in spite of its recent poll performances being dispiriting.”
Priyanka’s reserves 40% tickets for women in UP: a bold step
The immediate context of Sonia Gandhi’s speech was framed by AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s recent strong showing in Uttar Pradesh, where she was in fighting mode as she met farmers after the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, and addressed an impressive rally in Varanasi, Modi’s parliamentary constituency.
Carrying forward her offensive, Priyanka announced ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, that the Congress would give 40 per cent of its tickets to women candidates opens up possibilities and challenges for the party.
The Indian Express writes “it could also set off ripples that go beyond it, and spill over from UP to other states. For the Congress, it is a bold attempt to break out of a long and unchecked decline over three decades, during which it has steadily lost its mobilisation capacity among caste and religious groups in UP after having shed its umbrella character long ago……The reservation of tickets for women could be the Congress’s attempt to leap over its own political weaknesses by appealing to a constituency that cuts across caste and community cleavages. A constituency that has been breaking ceilings in a range of sectors and coming of political age amid larger social shifts and technological transitions — unnoticed, or recognised only belatedly, by politics…….
“In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, for the first time, the voter turnout for men and women was almost equal — 66.79 per cent and 66.68 per cent respectively. Political parties like the JD(U), TMC and BJD in the states and the BJP nationally have begun to tailor their agenda and programme to the irreversible forces set in motion by the growing political visibility of women. And yet, the number of women elected to Parliament and state legislatures still lags unconscionably. A beginning has been made in UP, but to take it forward, to draw the vital linkages between processes that are bottom-up and top-down, much political work remains to be done, both by the Congress and its competitors.”
At the same time, The Tribune writes “unless the announcement gets reflected, if not replicated, in candidate selection in a state where the Congress rules, like Punjab, or Goa, where it can be a strong contender, or the party’s few remaining strongholds in Uttar Pradesh, it will be construed as mere tokenism. If making women, roughly constituting half the voters, full-fledged partners in power is the avowed purpose, only a principled stand can make a difference and push the envelope, forcing the rest to follow suit.”
The Congress fielded 54 women (nearly 13 per cent), the BJP 55 in the 2019 General Election. “Clearly, there is a lot of catching up to do, but why the political mainstream remains edgy on the subject also explains the elusive consensus and the tardiness on the legislation for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lower House of Parliament and state Assemblies. There is a distinct lack of intent. The Congress’ move is commendable, any change though would need steadfast adherence.”
Congress party is setting the political agenda: Analysts Neerja Chowdhury concede that “after a long time, the Congress party is setting the political agenda instead of reacting to moves made by the BJP…..If the initial reactions to Priyanka’s move are anything to go by, it could charge up the atmosphere in the poll-bound state.
“It will be naïve to believe that the decision will suddenly make the almost defunct Congress into a force to reckon with in UP. But ’40 per cent to women’ is a good mobilisational tool for Congress……..By targeting women as a constituency, Congress has made a pitch to reclaim its ‘umbrella’ status of yesteryears, cutting across caste and community. This may have an appeal for younger Indians.
Chowdhury believes “it will bring Priyanka Vadra centrestage.” She has not ruled out her leading the party into battle by contesting the assembly elections herself.
Political parties, “have sensed that women are emerging as a constituency. They are coming out in larger numbers to vote. They are also voting differently from their menfolk, and several studies have showcased this trend. Women ensured the victory of a beleaguered Nitish Kumar in Bihar 2020. They stood solidly behind Mamata Banerjee in May 2021. Women have also supported Narendra Modi……”
Caveat on Priyanka: Saeed Naqvi (journalist, television commentator, interviewer) however, mentions a caveat on Priyanka’s rise. He doubts whether Priyanka has the political stamina to sustain her initiative. doubts whether Priyanka has the political stamina to sustain her initiative.
G23 has ‘no leg to stand on’
On the other side of the Congress spectrum and in sharp contrast, writes Sahay “stands the G-23, the Congress’ ginger group whose urgings led to the calling of the CWC meet in the first place. It has no leg to stand on in terms of star power or the vote-catching quotient……The principal reason the G-23 don’t cut much ice with the party’s rank and file, although many of them are high-profile individuals with liberal values, is that their members were silent spectators and enjoyed the fruits of power dispensed by the Gandhis when the Congress held office. They didn’t then raise questions about democratising the party or the importance of holding regular elections – as they do now when the party is not in sight of power.”
Fundamental question does not go away: Yet, the fundamental question the G-23 posed have not gone away. This is why, says Sahay, “the CWC deemed it fit to announce a schedule for internal elections down to the lowest organisational level, and not just for Congress president. The pith and substance of the G-23 demand was not brushed under the carpet when it could easily have been since there is no challenge to Mrs Gandhi from within.”
The Gandhi name provides glue to the Congress
Whether imaginary or real, Sahay writes “there has existed the fear that without the glue the Gandhi name provides, the Congress would tear itself apart. This a priori assumption has no firm basis……But even if the Congress, as we have known it, capsizes, the set of values that make the party will remain a totem against the dynamics and processes of the far right in a very diverse country.
“If Rahul Gandhi is a candidate for the Congress presidency next August, as per the announced schedule, those wishing to contest for the position are likely to hold back. In that case, the Congress will be back to where it is, with a Gandhi on top. The way out of the conundrum is for the CWC, for now, to name preferably two working presidents, letting Rahul Gandhi extricate himself from being the chief instrument of the Congress president in day-to-day. When it is time to elect a new president, Mr Gandhi could continue to keep out and back the new leader with the solidity of his experience.”
Punjab: Former CM Launch Party, Open To Seat Arrangement With BJP
Ahead of the 2022 Assembly election, former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress leader Amarinder Singh Tuesday announced the launch his political party, saying that an alliance with the BJP was possible, if the ongoing farmers’ protest against agriculture laws was resolved.
Amarinder Singh, who resigned last month, citing humiliation in the Congress, said his party will work towards forming alliances with like-minded parties including breakaway Akali Dal groups.
After the Congress high command had forced him into resigning from his post, the two-time Chief Minister made had it clear that he would explore and exercise his political option at an appropriate time.
