Rahul says alvida

Rahul says alvida

Congress must move on and elect a credible president. Gandhis mustn’t undermine the new chief.

Rahul Gandhi’s categorical assertion that he has resigned as Congress president, taking responsibility for its election debacle, must force the party to see reason. Nearly six weeks have elapsed since Rahul resigned at a Congress working committee called to take stock of the Lok Sabha defeat, but the party has failed to move on. The tone of finality in Rahul’s letter, indicating that there is no scope for a rethink, will now perhaps add a touch of urgency to electing a new president.

In sagacious advice, Rahul has warned that “accountability is critical for the future growth of the party”. Notably, Rahul also continued his tirade at others who failed – “numerous people will have to be made accountable” – and said it would be unjust to hold others accountable while ignoring his own responsibility. It is rare in Indian politics for top leaders in dynastic or supremo-led parties to accept responsibility and graciously resign. Even as Rahul steps down, it is important that the incoming chief isn’t hamstrung by the Gandhi family that continues to loom large in the Congress imagination.

Congress must clearly define the roles that Rahul, Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will play in future. Failure to do so will undermine the new president’s stature and impede any chances of revival. Recall that both PV Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesri faced incessant dissidence from leaders professing loyalty to the Gandhi family during their respective stints as party presidents. Not surprisingly, the names of various Gandhi family loyalists are being floated as prospective presidents. The time has come for Congress to put party over family and empower a new chief who can overhaul the party, usher in internal democracy, and prepare for the next national showdown with BJP in 2024.