Has Rahul Gandhi understood the magnitude of the catastrophe inflicted by Narendra Modi on the Congress?
If so it is difficult to see signs of this in the young prince’s actions. While insecurity, resentment and little rebellions have infected Congress (the iron grip of Mr Modi over his party making the contrast even more stark), where is its leader?
Recent reports said he was off on holiday to Europe with his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and family. This might surprise many, given that Congress continues to find only bad press, even when it is in Opposition and away from the spotlight. But what can we expect from someone who sloped off to Bali to relax after delivering the worst electoral performance in his party’s history?
For the Congressmen who are still stunned by the disaster, the scene gets grimmer by the day. Elections in Maharashtra will confirm that the party is in an irreversible decline. Irreversible not because of the fates, but because there is no effort to correct the slide.
Across western and northern India, the party has been pushed into becoming a permanent Opposition. It has not won an election in Gujarat in 30 years (the last time was Rajiv Gandhi’s sweep of 1984-85). It finds itself in a similar situation in MP and Chhattisgarh, where it will be out for 15 years at the end of the current term. It is no longer relevant in two major states, Bihar and UP, where the BJP has spectacularly revived itself. It has fallen behind the BJP even in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. In Maharashtra, where it has lost only once in history, it is going to be hammered in the election later this year. And so also in Delhi.
This is a nationwide crisis for the Congress and revival will require a decade of constant and focused hard work. But, as I said, where is there any sign that Rahul Gandhi is on the job?
For weeks, Mr Gandhi has been demanding that Congress get the Leader of the Opposition post in the Lok Sabha. Why does he even want it? I honestly don’t understand this. What will the Congress do with the post?
Even if Mr Modi bends (something that is unthinkable) and gifts the Congress this purely ceremonial post, it is going to change nothing in the attitude of the Gandhis. Leadership in Indian politics demands little principle and does not even require high intelligence. Only two things are needed: enthusiasm and hard work. Mr Gandhi shows no enthusiasm and no willingness to work. I said this on television this week and the Congress spokesman on the debate was offended. He said Mr Gandhi attended so many election rallies during the campaign (as if he were doing his party a favour). Perhaps he did, but even here it must be said that it was only half as many as Mr Modi.
It is not some brilliant idea or magic wand that Mr Modi produced to sweep the Lok Sabha elections. It is Mr Modi’s doggedness, his determination and his unflagging work that has made him successful. He contests the game like he has some stake in it. Not so the Gandhis. They seem quite satisfied in defeat. In their behaviour I am reminded of the later Mughals who were happy to sell the elephants, and to see the family silver go so long as they were in-charge of the derelict palace and held on to their grand titles.
Aakar Patel is a writer and columnist
