Transition of Sonia from reader to leader

   - D. Vishnumohan Rao

Sonia Gandhi is an altered woman now! Her appearance, presentation, and handling of situation have changed totally compared to three years ago. In 1998, Sonia stepped into Congress as Rajiv Gandhi’s widow. Her lone statement then was, ‘My attitude is to help the party grow, and I would contribute to my ability’.

With in a span of one year, she was made, rather became the Congress party president. Later, she was bubbling with self-confidence when she stepped out of 10, Janpath. By the time she started mingling with top brass of the party, state leaders, and people the fear, dilemma, and uncertainty all vanished. And, the mid-term polls were around the corner in 1999 long before she could totally take the party reigns into her hands and under ‘her’ control.

The magic spell was witnessed, that astonished the ruling NDA’s allies, when she addressed her first media conference after releasing the election manifesto of the party in the third week of August. For the first time, the ‘reader’ Sonia responded to the queries of the national and international media men, with out looking for assistance from close associates or reference material notes (not to mention that those are prepared by some one else). Point to point Sonia countered the media firebrands on topics right from Bofors, Kargil to Jayalalithaa.

Sonia very strongly condemned the BJP and its allies on professing about her nationality. She stated that they underestimated her and her ability. The nationality question raised would not stay long in the political circles. Answering a query on Bofors, Sonia urged for a free and fair probe into the case, so that she could prove her late husband’s innocence.

Vajpayee Leader - Sonia Reader

The BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal and other parties coined slogans on Sonia. It used to be said 'Vajpayee Leader - Sonia Reader' and 'Vajpayee Swadeshi – Sonia Videshi'. Criticism also surmounted Sonia that she can never communicate with her party men or the people with out the assistance of translators. Sonia put in her effort and checked the critics. For some time now people and the rival parties on political front can almost hear Indira Gandhi from her.

During mid term elections in 1999, Sonia launched a direct attack on BJP on an open dais. She said BJP and the chauvinistic forces behind BJP are the prime rivals to Congress. She did not stop there; she further added that the war is not between two parties or persons it is between two ideologies. This created turmoil among the NDA allies, primarily in BJP. Result, Congress clinched 138 parliament seats in that election besides Sonia’s win at Amethi of Uttar Pradesh and Bellary of Karnataka with an unexpected majority.

History of 1969 repeats

Senior leaders in the Congress opposed the projection of Sonia as prime minister after the mid term elections. They contested her candidature for the position with an objection that Congress is a political party; power should not be vested within a single family. Obviously, this argument did not suit the henchmen and ‘obedient’ of Rajiv and Indira. There was a rift at the party headquarters for some days and the result was a split in the party. Senior leaders of the party like Sharad Pawar, P A Sangma left the Congress and floated Nationalist Congress Party.

It was a repetition of 1969 all over again for Congress. Sonia handled the situation analogous to Indira. Both the leaders’ version was ‘let them go, Congress never suffers’.

During 1969 and 1980 Indira said ‘People can recognise the original Congressmen, final decision is in their hands’. This statement worked miracles for Congress (I), which bagged majority during the 1980 elections.

During recent times, a sense of regionalism grew because of which Sonia could not get the results Indira achieved back then.

Revolutionary resolutions

After the defeat in 1999 elections, Sonia brought in revolutionary changes in the Congress. In the plenary sessions held during April 2001 in Karnataka, the Congress party conduct changed drastically. In the past, the Congress that was against alliance with the ideology for a stable government was now ready for alliance if needed. This decision enlivened Congress’ hopes in some states where it was about to lose its existence.

In addition to this, many regional parties wished to extend their ‘hand’ towards Congress for alliance in their respective states. With this nod, Congress got a fresh boost in some states where it was loosing its footage.

Resolution results

In the Assembly elections that were held in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Pondicherry in May 2001 Sonia led Congress to victory. Congress also took to throne in three states. Asom Gana Parishad – BJP alliance in Assam, Left Democratic Front in Kerala were defeated by Congress and its poll parleys. In Pondicherry Congress won 11 out of 30 seats side tracking the powerful AIADMK, DMK and PMK and stood as the highest seats winner. It also formed government there with the alliance of AIADMK.

Congress made its presence felt by joining with AIADMK group in Tamil Nadu and Trinamool Congress band in West Bengal. While BJP was swept clean in West Bengal and Kerala they suffered a major set back in Tamil Nadu, Assam and Pondicherry.

These results could convince Sonia largely and give her a relief as she was in a losing ground earlier.

PV comes to Sonia’s rescue

Veteran Congress man and ace strategist, former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao’s influence can be seen in Sonia’s adoption and implementation of certain decisions. PV was more so famous for his advisory position to Indira Gandhi and later to Rajiv Gandhi. His advices came to the rescue of both the former Prime ministers in times of troubled waters both in governance and for the progression of the party.

A similar stand, though late, was seen now with Sonia who made PV sit beside her during the Bangalore Congress plenary. She was seen most of the time discussing many issues with PV. PV used to stress on the need to bring in changes in the party according to the changing times and its demands. When one takes a closer look at the decisions Sonia is presently implementing, a PV stamp can be clearly seen in them.

Green signal to Rahul and Priyanka

Political analysts feel that Sonia recognised the basic fact that people do have confidence in Congress and not in her, only after three years of her entry into active politics. In May 2001 Sonia raised a green flag for her children Priyanka and Rahul to join the mainstream politics. This can be considered as good turn for Congress’s future.

The sharp features of Priyanka that recall the memories of Indira and Rajiv besides her dashing nature to get closer to people during tours were witnessed in 1999 election campaign.

Uttar Pradesh is going for a general election in March 2002. If Priyanka puts her foot down onto active political life during UP elections, it would not be a surprise, as she will attain 30 years by that election. It is also not wrong on part of Congress leaders and Sonia if they select these elections to ‘present’ Priyanka to people as a political leader rather than daughter or granddaughter of Rajiv and Indira respectively.

Gradually, Sonia is gaining experience and working out for strengthening Congress. This can be said with her consultations with senior leaders like PV and accepting their suggestions. However, one change could not be brought in Congress right from the first election to the independent India. That is, groupism in the party. Until unless this groupism is crushed with an iron hand and boot, Congress can never regain its glory as a powerful National Political Party, because the national level is just lying in the name of the party (This has no reference to its recognition as national party by the Election Commission of India).

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