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| Sonia Gandhi's popularity is increasing | | Will she wait for her son to get the top job? | | POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, JULY 25: In a democratic system--and in a country where the freedom of press is a stark reality--people and the thought process of individuals and groups cannot remain static. And as wide public attention has, of late, been attracted by the two persons of consequence, Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and Congress party supremo, Sonia Gandhi, any event, minor or major, is expected on the socio-political scenario.
No wonder, an interesting opinion poll has just triggered discussions in political, offical and media circles not only in the Union capital but also elsewhere in the country. The reason: the opinion polls has suggested that most people in India, the world's biggest democracy, want Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, to lead the country.
There is no doubt that people are still satisfied with the performance of Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. In fact, the former World Bank economist has grown in popularity by about 16 per cent since 2004. But it is the Italian-born, charismatic chief of the governing Congress that remains the most popular candidate for the top job in the land.
In fact, according to the survey, the majority, at least 52 per cent, wants Sonia to replace Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister. This is both fascinating and surprising. Whatever the message in the survey, one will have to admit that it is the strength of Indian democracy that a person, who was born an Italian and who chose to acquire Indian nationality after her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, should be chosen to lead the country.
This despite the concerted campaign the Hindu extremist groups and nationalist parties have been running against Sonia Gandhi. They did their best to stop her from becoming the Prime Minister when her party romped home to power in 2004.
However, the unconventional politician and true leader that she is, Sonia silenced all her critics and stunned the Indians and the rest of the world by spurning the power. By deciding to make Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister in her place, she won the hearts and minds of Indian masses, like few politicians have.
In this respect, she may be ever luckier than her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, who was assassinated at the hands of LTTE. She has proved to be a far more perceptive and savvier than her unfortunate husband. No wonder the Indians would like to see her in the top job.
And why not? She has proved her leadership qualities and mettle. More importantly, she seems to have established a genuine rapport with the people, despite the fact that she is a very shy and reticent person. Many people in and outside Congress see Sonia Gandhi as yet another incarnation of Indira Gandhi, her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister.
But this comparison may be flawed. The late Indira Gandhi was a very shrewd politician with a streak of authoritarianism. Fortunately for the Congress, Sonia is so far more democratic in her style of functioning. Besides, she has never chased power. She may nurse an ambition in this regard.
But regardless of what opinion polls have to say, it is hardly likely that Sonia would ever agree to replace Manmohan Singh. After all, Congress leaders have tried and failed in the past in persuading her to take the top job. She may have her own reasons. Maybe, Sonia is waiting for her son, Rahul Gandhi, to groom himself for the top job. Whatever the case, India is in for some interesting times ahead.
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