Last week when we witnessed first interview of Rahul Gandhi, I started thinking about Congress party and when this party became a symbol of dynastic politics from once upon a time a democratic outfit. Why is there no other leader who can challenge the Gandhis, why is there no ambition for top post from any other congressman and why is there no value for merit and talent based leadership on top in Congress? I tried to capture this transformation of Congress Party and inner party power equation from Independence till now.
Nehru and Patel Era:
Congress was a symbol of democracy and the party fought the struggle for independence. The inner part democracy was very much part of this organization and evident when Nehru became Prime Minister in 1947. Sardar Patel, Subash Chandra Bose and Mahatam Gandhi all were elected President by voting before Independence. There were lots of talented leaders and there were ambitions and ideological differences among them when India became independent.
Shahtri & Syndicates:
After Nehru's death in 1964, There was a power struggle among Lal Bahudar Shashtri, Morarji Desai and Indira Gandhi. Then Party president K Kamraaj made Lal Bahadur Shastri Prime Minister based on majority view within Congress.When Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister for first time, there was again a political contest between her and Morarji Desai. As most of the congressmen were against Morarji Desai so she could become Prime Minister. Till here, I would say that Congress was very much democratic and at some extent had merit based leadership.
Indira Gandhi & emergence of one power center :
In 1969 when Indira Gandhi had given order for nationalization of banks and most of the powerful congressmen of Syndicate were not in favor of that decision. Congress was divided in Congress(S) and Congress(I). The name, Indira Congress indicates that the party was driven and captured by one person, Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi had become very popular at that time because of her populist work. She won the Election and Syndicates were lost heavily. This was a beginning of one Power center in Congress. There was a slogan that time which justifies the whole theory "Indira is India and India is Indira".
Gandhi Family & sycophant :
When Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in 1975, we can follow the history of emergency and find out how did this family start ruling the country. Sanjay Gandhi took lots of decision during Emergency and the Gandhi Family had become the ruling family of this country during the time. Sanjay Gandhi was killed in 1980 but Indira tried to bring his elder son Rajiv into politics. We can get to know how much desperate Indira Gandhi was to continue her dynasty from Menka Gandhi' one interview. In that interview Menka said, "Because Indira wanted her son to be heir of her power ,so I had to go from that house."
When we are focusing on the Indira Gandhi and family during this time, there were some inspiration within congress cadre to become Prime Minister. Pranav Mukhraji, Arjun Singh and VP Singh were among some powerful congressmen who were having their eyes on Prime Minister's seat. Gandhi family was surrounded by their well wisher and sycophant leaders and they always made sure that nobody can challenge the Gandhis.
Rajiv Gandhi and symptoms of dynastic rule:
When Indira died in 1984 and Congress decided to make Rajiv Gandhi Prime Minister, It was in pathway to become dynastic party. The murder of Indira brought lots of sympathy to family which helped the family to get the public sympathy. But, There were dissenter within congress ranks. Paranb Mukharjee wanted to become Prime Minister but was sidelined and later thrown out of Congress.
Rajiv had seen lots of resistance from his ministers to keep power withing himself and his circle. Arun Singh and VP Singh made it very difficult for Rajiv Gandhi to become one and only power center of Congress party. VP Singh not only resigned from cabinet and Party but later became Prime Minister. We had been witnessing the symptoms of dynastic rule but there was lots of struggle within the party's ambitious leaders which Indira and Rajiv had to face so far.
Non Gandhi Era & failure of other leaders:
In 1991 after Rajiv Gandhi's death, congress leader wanted Sonia to become Prime Minister and take advantage of situation based on emotional support of people to Gandhi family. She refused to become Prime Minster. Narsimha Rao was the only Congress leader lately who was able to keep power well without blessings of Gandhis. Though, he had power struggle with ND Tiwari and Arjun Singh suring that and in 1994 both of these leaders decided to leave Congress to counter Narsimha Rao.
In 1996, Narsimha Rao lost election and Sita Ram Yeturi was elected ahead of Shard Pawar and Rajesh Pilot.Ironically, this is time when other congress leaders had an opportunity to lead the party, misdeed of congress top leadership made all the way for Gandhi Family to come back into power.
Sonia Gandhi & emergence of Full dynasty rule:
In 1999 Sita Ram Teturi was stripped off the power. Sonia Gandhi was made President of Congress Party which was seeing its all time low. Sonia Gandhi was able to infuse the confidence in congress cadre. Congress worker were seeing only hope in Gandhi family and they have been disillusioned by other congress leaders. The last power struggle in Congress which we witnessed was veto of Sharad Pawar against Sonia Gandhi. Bu he had to leave the party with leaders like PA Sangma. From 1999 the party runs around only Sonia Gandhi and there seems to be no ambition in other leaders to get the top post.
The dynasty rule within the Congress Party and no opposition to top leadership has few main resons. Firstly, there were so many promising leaders tried to challenge the family in past which includes attempt of Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma, Rajesh Pilot and Jitendra Prasad against Sonia Gandhi. After so many failure to challenge the Gandhi in past has deterred the leaders to do so. The sycophancy has reached to its limit within party. Secondly, there is no mass leader who has a mass appeal to people of India other than Gandhis within Congress Party , all the good leaders are either regional leaders or not a mass leader at all. Unfortunately, Congress Party today runs around Gandhi family and will probably look the family to lead in future.It has truly become a dynastic heritage of Gandhi family.
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