Friends, Indians, Congressmen… A Litany
In the wake of the losses and the mass political upheavals within and outside of the Indian National Congress in the last few years, for the first time since its inception in 1885, the INC seems to be terribly off — course.
Now before you jump the gun and think that this is just another article in the INC dissonance series, hold your horses and read on. The Indian National Congress started as a unified whole in 1885. It wasn’t as though, Nehru, Gandhi or Tilak did not encounter dissent or discord. Their approach mattered. They encountered conflict in a statesman-like manner. The party fonctionnaires were trained to acknowledge, accept and assent to the growth of a new concept — Agree to Disagree without losing sight of a common goal; an Independent India. They complemented each other focusing on destination over dissidence. We were a party with tolerance for dissent. But can we in all honesty subscribe to this today?
Few days ago a Congress leader wrote an article on the obsolescence of the INC which could become a reality, should measures not be taken on an immediate and urgent basis. I found the thought well -reasoned because it was well- meaning and not an off-the-cuff comment; one that came from a place of knowing. Criticism when it comes from the family first, helps develop sensibilities and sensitivities.
The point made early on did not go down too well as another Congress leader countered through a second article with hints at loyalty and political allegiances. He talked of the long haul. As a young supporter, not far thrown from the politics of the day, I am compelled to ask, since when have we started indulging in factionalism? The other day while talking to another congress worker I was told bluntly, You are either for Rahul Gandhi, or against him? I want to know: Why?
Why are we wearing rose-tinted glasses when it comes to equally dynamic leaders who have proved themselves over time? Why is seniority still a priority? Why are we not setting the precedent of politics of performance versus politics of pliability and passivity?
A steadfast belief that the Indian National Congress will come to power again is paused by the absence of the face of a party continues to sear like wedge in a wound. Without a leader, we cannot have a following. While an ideology may unite different workers on different rungs of the hierarchy we are still missing out on a definite synthesis. The internal divisions are rife. When senior leaders walked out in the not- so distant past, staunch Congress supporters took to Twitter to vent their frustration, digging up history, personal past and even indulging in character assassination of those who had betrayed the party which is supposed to have given them their legacy. THIS IS NOT THE IDEOLOGY OF THE CONGRESS. I am not justifying those who left, absolutely not; but what is the use of having prejudiced, slack and self — serving associates whose presence could cause more affliction? When someone leaves, wish them well, let them go. Make them regret their departure with benevolence rather than fortify their belief that they did the right thing. This would have heralded the dawn of new hope and a new perspective for young adults waiting to witness leadership in the party. Leaders are dealers in hope not despair. When we react sharply we play into the hands of those waiting to see the defeat through our displeasure.
What the party is in dire need of right now is direction. For this we need a rudder, a firm anchor which is absent. Each MP, MLA, party worker is trying their best to make things work but without a structured laser- focused approach, we will be bereft of witnessing the INC taking on the reins even in 2024. This is the Reality. We cannot shy away from it, turn our back on it nor can we say that we are perfectly alright working without a figurehead. We cannot succumb to political oblivion.
This post would have been differently posited if there was a dearth of leaders in the Indian National Congress. The truth is we have some of the best, brightest and most talented members from various cross-sections of society. In the pre- independence era the INC adopted the rule of 1 year Presidency from 1885 right up-to 1933. This made the entire process free, fair and everyone’s contribution received due recognition. Why can we not adopt the same policy now? What is holding the party leadership back? It is recorded history that during Nehru’s premiership, he rarely held the Presidency of INC.
The truth is the INC created history by setting precedents; positive precedents. Today the same party through its wilful ignorance of voices of dissent is making sure that the party is deteriorating within. Stifling those who speak up or countering their thoughts with disdain is not the right path. We are in need of Solution Seekers not Problem Propagators.
A lot of Congress supporters talk of horse- trading and how the ruling GOI has successfully won over a part of the flock. The question is: Why is horse- trading successful? Can we choose to cling to just one aspect which is the financial aspect or are there other reasons that we in all our wisdom are missing out on? Have we done a reality check on whether our leaders are happy or are we busy creating pigeonholes for functionaries who are capable both of leading the party and the country, narrowing down our own success on the national front? Even today, leaders who are worthy are left out of the CWC. And I won’t name any lest I be held guilty of bias.
For the INC to win, we have to change the game; we have to re- think our strategy; we have to go beyond our rigid realm of understanding. Acknowledgement of our shortcomings will lend perspective; Affirmation of Change will invite innovation; Acceptance of Reality will restore the damaged, and most importantly steer the course for 2024.
If we shortchange our dynamic doyens as just negligible parts of a whole, we are severely impairing growth and the reason for association, affiliation and allegiance. A wider ambit of leadership will broaden the horizons of political understanding. This isn’t about the Congress against the Congress; this is about the Congress against the intolerance, bigotry and inefficient political administration of the day.
Let’s take a step back and re-assess this phase before going for each other’s necks. The secret of any good relationship is, What happens behind closed doors, must stay behind closed doors and what happens within a family, for better or for worse, must stay within the family. We cannot allow for cracks to widen within lest its repercussions be felt 4 years hence.
A note here: I am neither a politician nor do I hold on to any political ambition. At best I can be called a political observer who has unfailingly voted in favour of the Indian National Congress. It is now for the party to either choose Voices of Reason and the advice of well meaning office bearers to propel it into the future of certainty or to relegate into the background as that chapter in history which reads The Future India Failed to have…