Congress: Family Meets Senior Leaders, Tries To Pacify Them
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
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By Linus Garg
First publised on 2020-12-21 08:16:39
About the Author
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
The late Congress leader Ahmad Patel was known to be the chief trouble shooter of the Gandhi family in the party. He was widely accepted as the link between the Gandhi family, mainly Sonia Gandhi, and the other leaders in the party. As he was also liked across the political spectrum, he also formed the bridge between Sonia and leaders of other parties. When the Gandhis met the disgruntled leaders of the party on Saturday, reports emerging from the meeting suggest that Priyanka Vadra is taking over that role. She was seen to welcome (long with Rahul) all those who came for the meeting and was seen to let the disgruntled leaders have their say. She was also instrumental in getting Sonia and Rahul reply appropriately.
This is a good sign. The Congress needs someone who can assure the leadership just below the family level that there is someone who will hear their grievances and get the top leadership to do something about them. Given the hierarchy, it is better if that someone who hears them is one from the family. Hence, it seems that the family has taken a conscious decision to push Priyanka into this role. Since she is family and has the ear of both Sonia and Rahul, she can act as the perfect mediator.
But will the problems being faced by the Congress get resolved by just mediation, even by Priyanka? One feels that matters have been allowed to drift for long and attitudes have hardened on both sides. The absence of internal forums and regular meetings for senior leaders to air their views has meant that they do so in public or through the media. This fact was reinforced when Kapil Sibal said as much when commenting on the party's abysmal performance in the Bihar elections last month.
Even before the Congress goes in for structural reforms in the party or holds organizational elections, it has to appoint several committees here senior party leaders can meet and discuss about current affairs. The absence of such committees means that there is no discussion and party leaders feel they are not wanted any more. This is what they told the Gandhis in the meeting on Saturday. Although Sonia and Rahul assured them that their views will always be heard and considered, the party has to take steps to make them feel wanted. It must also appoint a full time president and revitalize itself. Otherwise there is no point in holding meetings with the G-23.
