Amidst the ongoing uncertainty over the Congress party’s leadership, with Rahul Gandhi still undecided and Sonia Gandhi bowing out for health reasons, the possibility of a non-Gandhi taking the reins for the first time in 23 years appears to be gaining ground, with attention turning to Ashok Gehlot. Following a meeting in the national capital with Sonia Gandhi, where the incumbent Rajasthan Chief Minister shared the view of the party’s collective support for Rahul Gandhi, speculation was ignited about Sonia Gandhi’s proposition to Gehlot to assume the position at the summit of the party.
Should Gehlot decide to submit his candidacy, supported by the Gandhis, it might prompt the G-23 faction, a group within the party seeking organizational reforms, to propose their own challenger. According to Rasheed Kidwai, an experienced journalist and chronicler of the Congress party’s history, another scenario where Sonia Gandhi returns as the full-time president and appoints various working presidents, including Gehlot, is still on the table.
Such a strategy could simultaneously resolve the lingering leadership vacuum, challenge the narrative that the party is steeped in nepotism and dynastic rule, and placate concerns by installing a figurehead from outside the Nehru-Gandhi legacy. In the case of Rajasthan, where political strife has simmered between Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, such an appointment could be instrumental in soothing tensions ahead of the state’s elections next year. According to some reports, the Gandhis have already assured Pilot of his elevation to the Chief Minister’s post well before the state elections.
Gehlot, known for his unwavering loyalty and his appeal as an Other Backward Class (OBC) leader, stands out as a significant figure in the Hindi heartland—a critical region where the Congress party seeks to consolidate its influence in the face of the impending 2024 general elections against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, Gehlot’s acceptance of the role would likely necessitate his stepping down from the Chief Minister’s office, a move he reportedly hesitates to take.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay, a distinguished journalist, suggests that if the eventual non-Gandhi leader is perceived as a puppet operated by the upper echelons of the party, then the forthcoming organizational elections will be rendered superfluous. He also notes that appointing a non-Gandhi could sow seeds of distrust within the party, potentially exacerbating internal divides and igniting power struggles.
The possible election of a non-Gandhi leader like Gehlot could signify a marked lack of confidence in Rahul Gandhi’s leadership capabilities. Kidwai reflects on the technical viability of such an outcome but also warns of the potential pitfalls associated with it.
As far as the G-23 group is concerned, the likelihood of them pressing for a contest is present, harkening back to the last genuine contest in the party’s organizational elections in 2001, where Jitendra Prasada vied against Sonia Gandhi but was defeated. Contemplating the G-23 candidate, names such as Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma surface, though neither seems inclined to enter the fray for the president’s role.
The G-23’s possible alternatives might include Shashi Tharoor or Manish Tewari. However, mounting a campaign and securing victory are distinct undertakings. In the context of the Congress party’s electoral college dynamics and the prevailing influence of the Gandhi family, any candidate implicitly endorsed by them would possess an apparent edge.
The unfolding developments within the Congress party depict an organization at a critical nexus, grappling not only with public perceptions of dynastic politics but also navigating intricate internal power dynamics. The decisions made in the coming days could shape the trajectory of the party as it positions itself to challenge the BJP’s dominance on the national stage.
