New Delhi: Sensing a major revamp in the Congress party, several leaders have now switched sides to be on the right side of party Vice President Rahul Gandhi. From defending his long leave to vouching his name for the party president's post, everyone wants to be in his good books.
Rahul, who went on a nearly two-month long sabbatical in February and returned to India on April 16, is expected to aggressively take on the Narendra Modi government in the second phase of the Budget session.
A 'rejuvenated' Rahul will be seen leading the Kisan rally against the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill on April 19. To fine tune his strategy he met various farmers organisations on Saturday. The meet assumes significance as it gives a clear signal on who will lead the party in the coming days.
Even though there has not been much change in the Congress gameplan even after Rahul went on his mysterious leave, voices of dissent have increased manifold. Many senior leaders want Sonia to continue as Congress President and have openly questioned Rahul's leadership ability.
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh confirmed that there will be changes in the party. Singh said, "Changes in Congress organisation is on the cards. You will see the changes Rahul wants to bring about soon."
Singh had earlier criticised Rahul saying the timing of his leave was wrong. "He should be more hands on. I think he has to lead his own life, at the same time today's politics is 24x7 job, and he needs to be more hands on. He has to reach out to everyone in the party and he should take up this opportunity," Singh said.
The rift within the party started appearing ever since the Congress was reduced to its worst-ever performance in the Lok Sabha elections as it managed to win just 44 seats in the 543-member House. Union Minister Milind Deora was the first to criticise the party's functioning. He had questioned the way the campaign for the 2014 elections was run by Rahul's advisors. He accused Team Rahul of not having an ear to the ground.
"Everyone needs to share the blame, especially those who felt they had value to add but kept quiet for the past 2-3 years when things weren't going well. Those who were silent are to be blamed as much as those who were giving wrong advice," Milind had said in an interview to Indian Express.
Deora is one of the few young leaders who are backing Rahul to lead the party. He tweeted, "Momentary outbursts aside, Congress should come together, pay gratitude to Soniaji's spectacular 17 year leadership and rejuvenate under Rahul Gandhi."
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit embarrassed her party by telling PTI that there were question marks over Rahul's leadership and Sonia Gandhi was the best hope for the party's revival. However, she later clarified saying that she never said Rahul was incapable and that she meant Sonia was the most acceptable leader.
Even though change is certain in the Congress leadership, a lot depends on the success of Kisan rally as all the party members are going all out to make it a mega success.
"Beginning with farmer's rally at the Ramlila grounds, Congress will carry this fight vigorously and with utmost vigour from Parliament to small towns and villages in the country," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
Rahul had spearheaded an agitation in 2011 from Bhatta Parsaul in Uttar Pradesh against forcible land acquisition of farmers that had culminated into enactment of Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Seeking to put pressure on the Modi dispensation, Congress is planning a massive mobilisation of farmers across the country. The rally also assumes significance as it is being held on the eve of the opening of the second phase of the Budget session of Parliament and at a time when the government has repromulgated the Land Acquisition Ordinance.
The revamp in the party is likely to take place after the Budget session as crucial AICC meet is expected to happen at the same time. But with party badly losing the Lok Sabha elections and even worse performance in the subsequent state Assembly elections, change in the leadership is unlikely to help improve the party's fortune.
The Congress has young leaders like Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot and several others, but the party has its eyes fixed on Rahul. The party is unable to look beyond dynasty politics and give a chance to others.
The writing is clear on the wall and if Congress fails to bring in new blood, it will in all probability become just one of the also rans.
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