The Congress party on Saturday proved, yet again, that it cannot look beyond the Nehru-Gandhi family whenever it faces an existential crisis. The party thus ended up picking Sonia Gandhi as its interim president in a desperate bid to bring an end to the two-month long leadership crisis triggered by Rahul Gandhi's resignation. Rahul Gandhi quit the post following the party's disappointing show in the Lok Sabha polls.
Sonia's comeback to the party helm, after a year-and-a-half, has evoked mixed reactions from party ranks. While the move is overtly being hailed by many as the best decision in the interest of the party at this moment of crisis, it has also evoked concerns about public perception.
Leaders who hail Sonia's ascension are of the view that her experience as a seasoned administrator will save the party from a possible disintegration. They also hope that she can, to some extent, stop the exodus of Congress leaders into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A top leader of the All India Congress Committee told Onmanorama, on condition of anonymity, that Sonia's appointment would help strengthen the party machinery. However, he was doubtful of how the public would perceive the Congress decision.
He felt this is the best interim arrangement as appointment of anyone from outside the family would only accelerate infighting. “Now, the party leaders' concentration will be on fighting the political rivals. Otherwise the fight would have been within the party,” he said.
He also said Sonia's cordial relationship with leaders of other anti-BJP parties may revive the possibilities of opposition unity. “If she calls a meeting, these leaders would attend the meet. If the invite was from someone else, they will send only representatives,” the AICC leader said.
Former Union minister K V Thomas termed Sonia's appointment 'the best decision.' He said her ability to study issues in detail and find solutions will help the party at this hour of crisis.
“People see in her a matured leader who is acceptable to all,” Thomas said when asked about how the public would find the new appointment. He said Sonia would get all help from son Rahul and daughter Priyanka Gandhi, who is AICC general secretary in charge of eastern UP.
V T Balram, MLA, who is the face of the young brigade in the Congress in Kerala, was cautious in his reaction. He welcomed Sonia's decision and hailed her the most respected leader of the Congress. But he said Congress workers are waiting for the 'next step.' “We are eagerly waiting for the election of a new party president through a democratic process,” he told Onmanorama.
This was by and large the opinion of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor too. “Congratulations to @INCIndia Working Committee for making the best decision in current circumstances, requesting Smt SoniaGandhi ji to take over as Interim President pending the election of a regular president by the AICC. Let elections allow party workers to decide who should lead them,” he said.
No decision on election dates
Though Sonia has been appointed the interim president, the party has not fixed any deadline for the election of a new president. A source in the party said Sonia is likely to continue at the helm until the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls in 2022.
After that Priyanka Gandhi could be the next choice, the source said. There are also speculations that the party would continue to persuade Rahul Gandhi to take back the reins of the party.