Congress Revival: Where are 'Out of Box' ideas?

When Rahul Gandhi launched an overseas trip eyeing to re-launch himself - just on the eve of his possible coronation as Congress president, some skeptics were surprised - where are the 'out of box' ideas to revive India's grand old party. 

In terms of perspective, the Congress party has turned too much predictable and this has weakened its fight for electoral revival. Incidentally, the tale is same both in BJP-ruled Gujarat or a regional party-ruled Andhra Pradesh. 

United Andhra Pradesh was the chief architect of Congress victory in 2004 and 2009 and look at the sad tale today. Hence, there are needs for trying some innovative steps. An attempt should be made to sound ‘more reasonable’ than mere loyalists to the leadership. Sam Pitroda and so on are only old faces and even the style of Rahul Gandhi's attack on the Narendra Modi government is on predictable lines. The main issues remain unaddressed. This suits the coterie but not the party or even Rahul Gandhi himself. To start with, if there is any disconnect between the party and the people, this ought to be discussed and should be addressed. It’s true, Rahul Gandhi is “already a leader and face” for the party. Hence, there need not any beat about the bush. The hereditary factor ought to be understood, accepted and appreciated. 

In terms of political emphasis, and something lacking in Congress thought process - the 2003-04 electoral victory showed that the socialist agenda or pro-people welfarism continue to dominate voters’ mind in India. Ten years later, nothing seemed to change as Narendra Modi also promised moon – including five crore jobs, Rs 15 lakh in each bank account and so son in 2014. 

In fact, most political parties in India – including regional parties – have always declared ‘socialist pattern of society’ as their goal.  Even with regard the BJP, in 1980 when the BJP was set up with Atal Behari Vajpayee they too had ‘Gandhian socialism’ as a guiding principle. It is another matter that the BJP has been considered more corporate and traders’ friendly outfit.

But it is true, the socialistic commitment was later given the spin of caste and middle class management. There came the golden era of Lalu Prasad, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati variety of political leaders. Most - if not all - harboured Prime Ministerial ambitions. Even Nitish Kumar - with a minor caste but pro-middle class image - awaited patiently for the bullet train to PMO.

In the entire process, the Congress has lost the plot. It lost crucial castes in north and due to series of political follies lost states like Andhra Pradesh (and later Telangana). Rahul Gandhi's dream run about 'revival' is yet to come but there's no 'out of box' ideas in the kitty.

A few diagnosis: Firstly, power destroys party. Absolute power destroys 'political party' absolutely. Due to prolonged stay in power, the Congress party has lost its organizational flexibility. It is more of a government-driven apparatus. In several states, the moment power was lost – the Congress Bhavans give deserted look. And why not, before the workers gather their - they are told one day you can become MLAm Minister, MP etc ! The organisational built up exercise is only a part time focus. Despite all sincerity - Rahul Gandhi could not achieve that.

My Gujarat trip recently gave certain feedback - While Congress did well in 2015 municipal polls in six key districts, it would not not have been possible without the Patidar factor. In other words, the Congress party’s show would not have improved. The passivity is not a virtue - more so at a time when the rivals are 'vote hungry' Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo. Thus the recommendation: the Congress should develop the killer instinct. Sam Pitroda-inspired Rahul's speeches with NRI intellectuals do not seem to show that happening.

With regard BJP's aggressive electoral drive - where the BJP is also ambitious about CPI-M citadel Tripura; it goes without saying that :“If Modi’s mass connect is one part of the story, the fifty two-year-old Amit Shah’s work in transforming the BJP is equally important element of the same story”.
A new book ‘How The BJP Wins – Inside India’s Greatest Election Machine’ (by Prashan Jha) rightly emphasises: “Shah has energised the party Sangathan, expanded its membership, carefully made the booth committee the centre and focus of all activity”. This, the writer says, has “created a centralised – yet decentralized – structure”.

 In contrast, it is any body's guess that Rahul Gandhi could not give a fresh lease life to the Congress party -- even the manner his Italian mother Sonia Gandhi could give some years ago. So much is the talk of Rahul's failure -- several Congress sympathisers would still await Priyanka's venture into politics. 

But we need not miss the point that - a vote for Priyanka - a reluctant politician - is actually 10 'vote of no confidence' on the incumbent Vice President -- all set to take over as the Congress President -- any day!

Hence - in the season of stage being set for coronation of Rahul Gandhi as new Congress President sooner vis-a-vis his latest foreign trip, Jha's book says, the Amethi MP “has not able to construct a wider appeal” like others in the Nehru-Gandhi family itself.
“Rahul Gandhi appeals to no particular social group or class. Nor is he an overarching leader across classes and communities – which is what Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi distinctive national leaders,” says the book.
“He (Rahul) has no core base to rely on, and he has not been able to construct a wider appeal like others in the family,” writes journalist Prashant Jha.