The Gandhi Legacy Continues…

Rahul, the scion of the legendary Gandhi family, ushered Congress into a new beginning this General Election, unleashing the country’s youth power.

Sushmita Dutta

The General Election 2009 has come to an end with the UPA sweeping the polls. Dr Manmohan Singh has donned the mantle of the PM for the second time in a row, making history as only the second person to do so after Jawaharlal Nehru. Though it would be a coalition that would come to power at the Centre, General Election 2009 will be remembered for the breathtaking performance of the Indian National Congress. The credit for this goes as much to the charisma and hard work of the mother-son duo of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi as to the good governance of Dr Manmohan Singh. How it all began The Nehru-Gandhi family which has played such an important role in shaping the course of politics in the country began its foray with Motilal Nehru, an eminent barrister, joining the Indian National Congress. Subsequently he went on to become one of the tallest leaders of the freedom struggle. Twice he served as the President of Congress. His son, Jawaharlal Nehru, followed in his footsteps. He became the right hand man of Mahatma Gandhi and was in the forefront of the freedom struggle. When India finally became independent in 1947, he became the country’s first Prime Minister. His political mantle was taken up by his daughter Indira Gandhi. After the untimely death of India’s second Prime Minister Lal Bhadur Shastri, she took over as the PM. Fighting the Congress’ old guard she established her hold over the party and went on to become one of the most powerful prime ministers India has ever had. Indira Gandhi’s government also played a crucial role in the creation of Bangladesh. But after her tragic assassination, she was succeeded by Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv was instrumental in bringing the telecom revolution to India. His political career was cut short when he was killed by the LTTE. After his death, everyone assumed that the role of the Gandhi family in the politics of the country had ended. Especially since his wife, Sonia Gandhi, and his son Rahul and daughter Priyanka steadfastly refused to join politics. The Congress then elected PV Narasimha Rao as its leader. In the years that followed, Congress’ fortunes dwindled and it was left a divided camp. The mighty party was in a free fall. There was no one to ebb its descent. It was then, under sustained pressure from the Congress that Sonia Gandhi decided to take over the party’s reins into her hands. She became the party president and the leader of the opposition in 1999. Sonia’s Journey Sonia’s journey was difficult to say the least. Her own partymen, who resisted a foreigner taking over the reins of the most prestigious party in India, rebelled against her. She fought out the foreigner tag within her party making everyone accept her as one of them. She faltered when she tried to take down the Vajpayee government without having the numbers. But the fact was, all the while she was learning the ropes of Indian politics. Sonia showed that she was an obedient student in the 2004 General Elections, and had learned all that she needed to. After the 2004 elections Sonia looked like she had evolved into an astute politician. The BJP, which had built its campaign around the ‘India Shining’ went hoarse over the issue of Sonia’s foreign origin, after losing out. Senior BJP leader, Sushma Swaraj even went to the extent of saying that she would shave her head and live an ascetic’s life if Sonia became the PM. Sonia then played a masterstroke. She refused the post of the Prime Minister in favour of Dr. Manmohan Singh, the one person whose credentials no one could question. The opposition suddenly went limp. Sonia Gandhi- A Surprise Package In 2004 elections BJP paid for underestimating Sonia Gandhi. They made the same mistake in 2009. If 2004 saw them lose power, 2009 elections ended in their rout. The Third Front, which projected itself as anti-Congress, anti-BJP, ended up with its worst performance ever. The Congress success is not an overnight story. Sonia had been assiduously working to build the party. She has picked up Hindi, to emphasise on her Indianness. She also brought Rahul in to build the organisation at just the right moment to cause upheaval in a state like Uttar Pradesh. And as the chairperson of the UPA, she adroitly managed difficult allies. She also ensured, by not interfering in the day to day working of the govt, that the argument of being a ‘super prime minister’ lost its teeth. Rahul- India’s future PM? Sonia Gandhi has not only become adept at feeling the pulse of the nation, but has simultaneously groomed her son Rahul and daughter Priyanka. Both of them have grown up to be fine people with a mind of their own. At a time when the entire nation and the Congress party wanted Rahul to take over the reins of the nation, he declined the offer and devoted his efforts to strengthening the party. For almost 5 years he worked in the backward areas of Uttar Pradesh and touched a chord with the people. The result is visible in this General Election. Due to his efforts, the state where Congress had become moribund, gave it 21 seats, the second highest in the state. At an age when he is still young by the standards of Indian politics, he has been charting a new course for the party. When everyone advised Rahul against going alone in UP and Bihar, he refused to listen to them, preferring to go it alone. The results have vindicated his stand, and proved his political judgment. After being repeatedly offered a cabinet berth, back in 2004 and now again in 2009, he has refused these posts repeatedly saying that his focus was on strengthening the party. Both Sonia and he stood behind Dr Manmohan Singh like a rock, when the opposition was in an overdrive calling him a “weak PM”. At 38, Rahul has come out of the shadow of his mother and is almost ready to lead the nation. The youth of today is inspired by him and is keen to lend him support to infuse new life into the governance, just as he has done for his party. He is the country’s biggest youth icon at the moment. He is adored by millions across the nation because of his straightforward, honest and secular persona. Only time will tell what he is able to eventually achieve for India. Priyanka- The Support System The beautiful grand-daughter of Indira Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has carved a niche for herself. She was compared to Indira Gandhi during her campaign for her brother and mother. Though many believe that she is a more capable person than her brother (this should end after Rahul’s performance) she has quietly let her brother take the centre stage in the political fray and has herself embraced family life. Her marriage did not translate into a disconnect with politics. She is constantly seen as the strongest supporter for her brother and mother. Her spirited campaigning in Amethi and Rae Bareille is one of the reasons for the party’s strong showing in UP. Besides her witty repartees on television kept viewers hooked and enchanted. She too, among others, is Congress’ young face. 2009 General Elections showed the nation that the Nehru-Gandhi family is ready with its worthy successors, who are geared up to fight any battle and are worthy of running the nation. Nehru, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi would have been proud to see their generation next. Once considered to be weak, they have transformed their image with patience, grit and determination.