Rahul would be taking over as Congress chief. But the question remains the same: when?
November 7 was a big day for the Congress when the Congress Working Commit tee (CWC) unanimously recommended a change of guard, voicing the need for heir apparent and vicepresident Rahul Gandhi to steer the party in future. The move seems to be aimed at replacing the growing sense of drift and unease in the average Congress supporter and worker with a sense of direction before the forthcoming assembly elections. Similar attempts had been made—and more than once—but every time the change seemed to be around the corner, the internal struggles of the party played out in ways that preempted it.
This time, the matter was not even placed on the agenda of the CWC meeting. And yet everything appears to have been pre-planned. Obviously, care had been taken to keep it secret until the last minute. A few senior leaders might have had an inkling of what was to come, but they had kept quiet, helping the developments unfold in maximum accord with the script. Party president Sonia Gandhi was said to be unwell and couldn’t attend the meeting. Her chair was removed later and Gandhi junior presided over the meeting.
There were conflicting reports on whether the succession issue took up most of the four-hour meeting, or by the three resolutions that were passed. Rahul was present throughout the discussion on his elevation, though some leaders felt he should have left the room then. “The matter had to be clinched,” says a leader who was at the meeting. “No point postponing it again and again. No point crying wolf when there is no cause for it, especially if the party stands to lose. But, yes, a better gesture would have been to leave the room when it was being discussed.” Another leader commented, “When the person is sitting there, can anyone possibly express dissent? Even silence would have been construed as dissent.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 21, 2016 من Outlook.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 21, 2016 من Outlook.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Dera, Drugs And Despair
Punjab poll pitch is seeing interesting twists and turns this election season
Allure Of Hatefulness Beyond Hate Speech
Polarisation between the Hindus and the Muslims is an unappetising reality, an ugliness that will not go away even after the votes get counted
Shine Off Sonar Bangla
Since the ant displacement movements against the Left Front government in 2006-08, Bengal has seen increased corruption, communalisation of politics and the rise of welfarism
Carnatic Cauldron
For the BJP-led NDA, 400 paar will remain a dream if the South Indian states choose to look the other way
The Young & the Restless
A new crop of young Dalit leaders shine in Uttar Pradesh's political Armament
In The Name Of Ram
For the people of Hazaribagh, famous for its Ram Navamii, life is a tussle between peace, processions and politics
Shell Company?
The power play between the BJP and the BJD in Odisha appears to be an electoral gimmick. Post elections, they may have each other's back
Peak Season in the Pir Panjal
Politicians excel at stirring up emotions at election time, and Kashmiris are torn between responding with cries or slogans
Seeds of Betrayal
Forget about doubling their income, Haryana's farmers are living a life in penury
Capital Contest
Could an alliance of former foes prevent a hat-trick for the BJP in Delhi?