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| Rift within Congress over Rahul Gandhi | | Will Sonia allow her son's photo in AICC headquarters? | |
B L KAK
NEW DELHI, SEPT. 29: Eyes are focused on the Congress supremo,Sonia Gandhi, following the quiet campaign launched by a section of loyalists for the display of Rahul Gandhi's photo in the AICC (All India Congress Committee) headquarters at 24, Akbar Road. Will she allow her son's framed photograph to join a pantheon that includes Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh?
Sonia Gandhi has every right to encourage activity and expression in relation to her son-rise. If the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) celebrated the ceremony culminating in putting up Rahul Gandhi's photo in its office premises, it is not binding on the AICC headquarters to follow the lines of the DPCC. However, Rajiv loyalists have begun to make noises in support of early action by the party bosses to adorn the AICC headquarters with Rahul's photo. These loyalists seem to be led by the Congress secretary, Tom Vadakkan, who insists that there is nothing wring in putting up Rahul's picture on the walls of the AICC headquarters.
Rahul Gandhi is sitting member of the Lok Sabha. Critics will frown upon the act of elevating the first-time MP.s photograph with those of itsw top leaders as sycophancy. At the same time, to Congress veterans, it is perfectly right thing to do. Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, BK Hariprasad, placed himself on record, saying"Rahul Gandhi is the icon of our youth. He is the icon of the country".
Interestingly, Vayalar Ravi, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister, went a step further, asserting: "Rahul symbolises the emerging India. He is the young representative of a family that enjoys wider acceptability and affection of all Indians. No other family in the country enjoys such credibility in the country". Ravi asked: "So what is wrong in projecting him?"
There are others in the Congress party who feel otherwise. But none of them is ready to come on record. The Congress party is infamous for its sycophancy. Congressmen, it is generally felt, think that heir loyalty to the party means loyalty to the Gandhi family. There is no denying that the leaders are vying with each other to show off their loyalty.
Rahul Gandh had been projected as the generation next leader of the Congress. However, the 36-year-old Lok Sabha MP's work has so far been confined to his constituency of Amethi besides Rae Bareli, his mother Sonia Gandhi's constituency. Both Amethi and Rae Bareli are traditional Gandhi family bastions located in Uttar Pradesh.
Congress units across the country have been pleading with Rahul to take up more responsibilities. Some want him to be a general secretary. But Rahul appears reluctant to do so.
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