Ending days of will he, won't he drama, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday officially stepped down from the post of Congress president. Rahul Gandhi wrote a four-page letter in which he reiterated his desire to quit the party top job following a drubbing in the recently held Lok Sabha election.

India Watch: Rahul Gandhi tweets resignation

Rahul Gandhi’s resignation has finally become a reality. It puts an end to the series of embarrassing dharnas which would have continued to take place.&nbsp;

His four-page letter would force the Congress Working Committee to select a new Congress president. Eventually, it will be ratified by the All India Congress Committee where Rahul Gandhi would sit as an ordinary member.&nbsp;

His sister and mother may continue in the party and may even influence the course of decision making, the fact remains that a non-Gandhi would be at the helm of the affair after a long time.

Last time a non-Gandhi was at the helm of affairs, the Indian economy opened up and India was introduced to its architecture Dr. Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;

Congress must not lose this opportunity to rebuild the party. Dynasty indeed has become a baggage and Gandhi’s instead of being assets were turning out to be the dead weights for the party. Rahul Gandhi’s stepping aside can create a collegial style of government.

It is a lesson which Congress can learn from BJP. After Jan Sangh experiment failed BJP was formed in the 1980s.

Top leaders in 1980s were unable to take on Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. Instead of taking them head on they focused on different states where they saw the possibility of making governments on their own.&nbsp;

Coupled with traction drawn from Ram Janmabhoomi Andolan, BJP broke new ground in western and central India. Powerful chief ministers emerged.&nbsp;

Starting from Sundaralal Patwa to Bhairo Singh Shekhawat. The central leadership was collegial in nature. A plethora of strong leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Rajmata Scindhia to LK Advani dominated the Delhi BJP.&nbsp;

They also allowed powerful chief ministers to exist. It is this model which Congress should forward to. Though it may never enjoy a support structure in the form of RSS it can start from scratch.

Rahul Gandhi in his letter blamed RSS and their idea of India. Ironically, he himself has been inconsistent in his politics. Much has been written about the loss, but the fact remains that the electorate rejected Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

He can be appreciated for staying firm on his decision. But a greater challenge lies ahead for the Congress Party. It cannot allow the message to go out that Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi are trying to control the party from a remote.&nbsp;

The message which should go is&nbsp;that Congress as a party can survive without any family or individual.

The idea of family being the centre of a political organisation had made Congress intellectually vain and bankrupt. This self-sustaining ecosystem still exists in Congress. It needs to be broken so that new and real politicians can find space in the new Congress.&nbsp;

The new Congress will need to redefine its ideological core which was unable to recraft itself because of the Nehru Gandhi baggage. PV Narasimha Rao was able to recreate a new foreign and economic policy because he was not burdened by the past.&nbsp;

New party&nbsp;president should try creating a&nbsp;Congress which is not burdened by the personal history of Nehru Gandhi dynasty. Possibilities are immense and Congress leadership should not lose this&nbsp;opportunity to recraft the party and allow subaltern leadership to occupy it's every nook and corner which has been sized by dynasties in every form.&nbsp;

What people would like to see is as to how&nbsp;Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will work in a Congress run by a non-Gandhi. I’m sure that 1990s cannot be recreated but then in politics everything is possible and if the latter becomes a reality in future then it would become an exercise in futility. Congress needs to be liberated from the dynasty. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi’s resignation has finally become a reality. It puts an end to the series of embarrassing dharnas which would have continued to take place. His four-page letter would force the Congress Working Committee to select a new Congress president.

Rahul Gandhi’s resignation has finally become a reality. It puts an end to the series of embarrassing dharnas which would have continued to take place. His four-page letter would force the Congress Working Committee to select a new Congress president. Eventually, it will be ratified by the All India Congress Committee where Rahul Gandhi would sit as an ordinary member. His sister and mother may continue in the party and may even influence the course of decision making, the fact remains that a non-Gandhi would be at the helm of the affair after a long time. Last time a non-Gandhi was at the helm of affairs, the Indian economy opened up and India was introduced to its architecture Dr. Manmohan Singh. Congress must not lose this opportunity to rebuild the party. Dynasty indeed has become a baggage and Gandhi’s instead of being assets were turning out to be the dead weights for the party. Rahul Gandhi’s stepping aside can create a collegial style of government. It is a lesson which Congress can learn from BJP. After Jan Sangh experiment failed BJP was formed in the 1980s. Top leaders in 1980s were unable to take on Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. Instead of taking them head on they focused on different states where they saw the possibility of making governments on their own. Coupled with traction drawn from Ram Janmabhoomi Andolan, BJP broke new ground in western and central India. Powerful chief ministers emerged. Starting from Sundaralal Patwa to Bhairo Singh Shekhawat. The central leadership was collegial in nature. A plethora of strong leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Rajmata Scindhia to LK Advani dominated the Delhi BJP. They also allowed powerful chief ministers to exist. It is this model which Congress should forward to. Though it may never enjoy a support structure in the form of RSS it can start from scratch. Rahul Gandhi in his letter blamed RSS and their idea of India. Ironically, he himself has been inconsistent in his politics. Much has been written about the loss, but the fact remains that the electorate rejected Rahul Gandhi. He can be appreciated for staying firm on his decision. But a greater challenge lies ahead for the Congress Party. It cannot allow the message to go out that Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi are trying to control the party from a remote. The message which should go is that Congress as a party can survive without any family or individual. The idea of family being the centre of a political organisation had made Congress intellectually vain and bankrupt. This self-sustaining ecosystem still exists in Congress. It needs to be broken so that new and real politicians can find space in the new Congress. The new Congress will need to redefine its ideological core which was unable to recraft itself because of the Nehru Gandhi baggage. PV Narasimha Rao was able to recreate a new foreign and economic policy because he was not burdened by the past. New party president should try creating a Congress which is not burdened by the personal history of Nehru Gandhi dynasty. Possibilities are immense and Congress leadership should not lose this opportunity to recraft the party and allow subaltern leadership to occupy it's every nook and corner which has been sized by dynasties in every form. What people would like to see is as to how Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will work in a Congress run by a non-Gandhi. I’m sure that 1990s cannot be recreated but then in politics everything is possible and if the latter becomes a reality in future then it would become an exercise in futility. Congress needs to be liberated from the dynasty. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Congress must not lose this opportunity to rebuild the party

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president.

In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit.

Speaking to ANI, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said,&nbsp;"I told Rahul Gandhi that Congress cannot work without him. After his mother Sonia Gandhi, if there is a leader who can run the party, it is him."

Narayanasamy said that in a two-hour meeting, Gandhi was urged to re-think his decision, but he chose to remain quiet throughout.

Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking the moral responsibility for the Congress'&nbsp;abysmal performance in the 17th General Elections.

His resignation offer was, however, unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed.

Delhi Congress Working President Rajesh Lilothia said the party respects the decision taken by Gandhi but will continue to convince him not to leave the post.

Even though there is no official statement on the matter, sources said that several party leaders will sit on a hunger strike at the party headquarters today to protest again Gandhi`s decision to step down.

A senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member told ANI, "It has been over a month since the last meeting of CWC, in which Rahul Gandhi had decided to quit, was kept.

Now, the senior leaders must call a meeting of CWC to decide on the issue.

"The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president. In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit.

Chief ministers of five Congress-ruled states on Monday urged Rahul Gandhi not to leave the post of the party president. In a first such meeting since Gandhi announced his decision to abdicate from the responsibility, Chief Ministers persuaded him not to quit. Speaking to ANI, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said, "I told Rahul Gandhi that Congress cannot work without him. After his mother Sonia Gandhi, if there is a leader who can run the party, it is him." Narayanasamy said that in a two-hour meeting, Gandhi was urged to re-think his decision, but he chose to remain quiet throughout. Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking the moral responsibility for the Congress' abysmal performance in the 17th General Elections. His resignation offer was, however, unanimously rejected by the CWC. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed. Delhi Congress Working President Rajesh Lilothia said the party respects the decision taken by Gandhi but will continue to convince him not to leave the post. Even though there is no official statement on the matter, sources said that several party leaders will sit on a hunger strike at the party headquarters today to protest again Gandhi`s decision to step down. A senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member told ANI, "It has been over a month since the last meeting of CWC, in which Rahul Gandhi had decided to quit, was kept. Now, the senior leaders must call a meeting of CWC to decide on the issue. "The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than what the party won in 2014 polls.

Congress Chief Ministers urge Rahul Gandhi not to quit as party president

The indefinite sit-in which was organised&nbsp;by several Congress party leaders&nbsp;urging Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation ended peacefully on Tuesday evening.

Not more than 300 people gathered outside party headquarters when the sit-in started earlier in the day.

The number reduced to odd 150 people by evening. Through the day, not a single senior Congress leader came to express solidarity with junior AICC functionaries.&nbsp;

The indefinite sit-in has been staged to create pressure on Rahul Gandhi to rescind his decision to resign from the post of Congress&nbsp;president after the party's&nbsp;abysmal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Junior AICC functionaries who have come for sit-in have refrained from giving speeches.

Not a single senior leader has come in for the event. Most of the leaders at the sit-in were appointed by Rahul Gandhi in the Congress during his tenure.&nbsp;

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<img alt="Congress workers protest for Rahul Gandhi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b2612617-a8d2-44fe-b323-3f78ed6a03d8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG-20190702-WA0048.jpg" />

<img alt="Congress workers protest for Rahul Gandhi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8f5a30c-8fd9-4290-a0b6-d2d69bd5d3f6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG-20190702-WA0045.jpg" />

WION spoke to Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in his papers.&nbsp;

"We want Rahul Gandhi to take back his decision. We will wait but the sit-in is not directed against any senior leader," Vashisht said.

The sit-in internally has drawn ire of the senior leaders who feel that it is unnecessarily creating more embarrassment for the already beleaguered party.&nbsp;

Many junior leaders wanted to erect a podium and give speeches but at the last minute, they decided against it. The tag line for the protest is "Satyagraha mein Agrha."&nbsp;&nbsp;

The event is going to last through the day. There is also no clarity on the matter whether junior leaders with such small numbers will be able to carry it for a few days.&nbsp;

The official rung of the party is upset and deeply divided over this protest.

The indefinite sit-in which was organised by several Congress party leaders urging Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation ended peacefully on Tuesday evening.

The indefinite sit-in which was organised by several Congress party leaders urging Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation ended peacefully on Tuesday evening. Not more than 300 people gathered outside party headquarters when the sit-in started earlier in the day. The number reduced to odd 150 people by evening. Through the day, not a single senior Congress leader came to express solidarity with junior AICC functionaries. The indefinite sit-in has been staged to create pressure on Rahul Gandhi to rescind his decision to resign from the post of Congress president after the party's abysmal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha elections. Junior AICC functionaries who have come for sit-in have refrained from giving speeches. Not a single senior leader has come in for the event. Most of the leaders at the sit-in were appointed by Rahul Gandhi in the Congress during his tenure. WION spoke to Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in his papers. "We want Rahul Gandhi to take back his decision. We will wait but the sit-in is not directed against any senior leader," Vashisht said. The sit-in internally has drawn ire of the senior leaders who feel that it is unnecessarily creating more embarrassment for the already beleaguered party. Many junior leaders wanted to erect a podium and give speeches but at the last minute, they decided against it. The tag line for the protest is "Satyagraha mein Agrha." The event is going to last through the day. There is also no clarity on the matter whether junior leaders with such small numbers will be able to carry it for a few days. The official rung of the party is upset and deeply divided over this protest.

Congress sit-in over Rahul Gandhi's resignation ends

All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi on Monday&nbsp;urging him to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kanpur-congress-workers-to-go-on-hunger-strike-urging-rahul-gandhi-to-not-resign-as-party-chief-231343">take back his decision to resign</a> from the post of the party President.

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The meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Chief Ministere&nbsp;comes in the backdrop of continuing suspense over Gandhi's future role in the party.

Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the 17th general elections.

According to a report by PTI, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy will be present at the meeting with Mr Gandhi today afternoon.

However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Congress workers staged a hunger strike outside party Headquarters in Delhi and&nbsp;urged Gandhi scion&nbsp;to take back his resignation.

(With inputs from agencies)

All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi on Monday urging him to take back his decision to resign from the post of the party President.

All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi on Monday urging him to take back his decision to resign from the post of the party President. Delhi: All Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states will meet Rahul Gandhi today, urging him to take back his decision to resign from the post of the party President. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/triR2qPUxG — ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2019 × The meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Chief Ministere comes in the backdrop of continuing suspense over Gandhi's future role in the party. Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the 17th general elections. According to a report by PTI, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy will be present at the meeting with Mr Gandhi today afternoon. However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC. So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, Congress workers staged a hunger strike outside party Headquarters in Delhi and urged Gandhi scion to take back his resignation. (With inputs from agencies)

Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states to meet Rahul Gandhi today to urge against the resignation decision 

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Gravitas: Loan Waiver: Big promises, Narrow vision

Congress workers in Kanpur are set to go on a hunger strike on Saturday to urge party president Rahul Gandhi to not resign from the post.

"The local Congress unit will undertake 'sadbhavan anshan' on June 29 at 11 am to press upon <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/resignations-pour-in-in-support-of-rahul-gandhi-pressure-on-senior-congress-leaders-to-resign-231254">Rahul Gandhi to take back his decision</a> to resign from the post of Congress chief," a press note by Congress committee in Kanpur said.

Meanwhile, a flurry of resignations has emerged within the Congress after Gandhi said he will not reconsider resigning from his post after facing a humiliating defeat in the general elections.

As many as 145 office bearers tendered a mass resignation earlier in the day during a meeting conducted in the Congress office and set an example for the senior members of the party to follow the suit of taking the moral responsibility behind dismal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha elections.

Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the 17th general elections.

However, his offer of resignation offer was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.

&nbsp;

Congress workers in Kanpur are set to go on a hunger strike on Saturday to urge party president Rahul Gandhi to not resign from the post. "The local Congress unit will undertake 'sadbhavan anshan' on June 29 at 11 am to press upon Rahul Gandhi to take back his decision to resign from the post of Congress chief," a press note by Congress committee in Kanpur said.

Congress workers in Kanpur are set to go on a hunger strike on Saturday to urge party president Rahul Gandhi to not resign from the post. "The local Congress unit will undertake 'sadbhavan anshan' on June 29 at 11 am to press upon Rahul Gandhi to take back his decision to resign from the post of Congress chief," a press note by Congress committee in Kanpur said. Meanwhile, a flurry of resignations has emerged within the Congress after Gandhi said he will not reconsider resigning from his post after facing a humiliating defeat in the general elections. As many as 145 office bearers tendered a mass resignation earlier in the day during a meeting conducted in the Congress office and set an example for the senior members of the party to follow the suit of taking the moral responsibility behind dismal performance in the 17th Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi, who became the party president in 2017, offered to step down from his post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on May 25, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the 17th general elections. However, his offer of resignation offer was unanimously rejected by the CWC. So far, several top leaders have met Gandhi and urged him to continue to lead the party. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince the 49-year-old party chief to rethink his decision, he remains unfazed. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.

Kanpur Congress workers to go on hunger strike urging Rahul Gandhi to not resign as party chief

With no clarity on Rahul Gandhi's continuation as president of the Congress party, a number of junior Congress leaders assembled at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office at 24, Akbar Road in New Delhi on Friday to hold an impromptu meeting on the state of affairs of the Congress.

More than 300 people had gathered for the impromptu meeting but surprisingly, the official rung of the Congress was unaware of such development. The media department of the party too was taken by surprise as its members were deployed in the Parliament house.

The net result of the meeting was more than 130 resignations from a number of office bearers of the Congress party. They came from different sections like PCC (state units) and Seva Dal, AICC, NSUI and Youth Congress. Known Congress functionaries&nbsp;who put in their papers are Anil Chaudhary, Rajesh Dharmani Virendra Rathore and Ponam&nbsp;Prabhakar.

AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria too resigned, so did the foreign cell secretary Virendra Vashishth. Babaria told WION that every Congress leader should take responsibility.&nbsp;Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and AICC secretary Jitendra Baghal have also followed suit. &nbsp;

On Thursday night, Congress legal cell head and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha had also put in his papers.

<img alt="cong office" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8eab8e05-11c9-482a-bdd2-6c472fbc547e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/visual.JPG" />

All India Congress Committee (AICC) office, New Delhi

Sources said that most of the people who gathered for Friday's meeting were promoted by Rahul Gandhi. Apart from the senior leaders, their ire was also directed against the younger lot who climbed the organisational ladder with Rahul Gandhi's support.

Most of those who attended the meeting want senior leaders in AICC to also put in their papers as they feel that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-have-resigned-after-taking-full-responsibility-says-rahul-gandhi-231077">Rahul Gandhi</a> alone cannot be held responsible for the defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Broadly, it is turning out to be a fight against the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/congress-culture-dynasty-glue-that-wont-let-go-230733">old guard and new guard</a> within the Congress after the party's massive poll debacle.

One of the key organisers categorically said that the resignations are being sought from AICC functionaries and not the sitting chief ministers, lest state governments get destabilised.

Rahul Gandhi has been insistent that he would not continue as Congress president but a section of the younger leadership feels that he should change his stand. They harbour the grouse that senior leadership did not do anything to make Rahul Gandhi change his mind. But many senior leaders privately admit that every decision was taken by Rahul Gandhi and to say that seniors did not cooperate is factually incorrect.

Rahul Gandhi on the past three occasions had made it very clear that he does not want to continue as the Congress president.

With no clarity on Rahul Gandhi's continuation as president of the Congress party, a number of junior Congress leaders assembled at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office at 24, Akbar Road in New Delhi on Friday to hold an impromptu meeting on the state of affairs of the Congress.

With no clarity on Rahul Gandhi's continuation as president of the Congress party, a number of junior Congress leaders assembled at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office at 24, Akbar Road in New Delhi on Friday to hold an impromptu meeting on the state of affairs of the Congress. More than 300 people had gathered for the impromptu meeting but surprisingly, the official rung of the Congress was unaware of such development. The media department of the party too was taken by surprise as its members were deployed in the Parliament house. The net result of the meeting was more than 130 resignations from a number of office bearers of the Congress party. They came from different sections like PCC (state units) and Seva Dal, AICC, NSUI and Youth Congress. Known Congress functionaries who put in their papers are Anil Chaudhary, Rajesh Dharmani Virendra Rathore and Ponam Prabhakar. AICC general secretary Deepak Babaria too resigned, so did the foreign cell secretary Virendra Vashishth. Babaria told WION that every Congress leader should take responsibility. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and AICC secretary Jitendra Baghal have also followed suit. On Thursday night, Congress legal cell head and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha had also put in his papers. All India Congress Committee (AICC) office, New Delhi Sources said that most of the people who gathered for Friday's meeting were promoted by Rahul Gandhi. Apart from the senior leaders, their ire was also directed against the younger lot who climbed the organisational ladder with Rahul Gandhi's support. Most of those who attended the meeting want senior leaders in AICC to also put in their papers as they feel that Rahul Gandhi alone cannot be held responsible for the defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Broadly, it is turning out to be a fight against the old guard and new guard within the Congress after the party's massive poll debacle. One of the key organisers categorically said that the resignations are being sought from AICC functionaries and not the sitting chief ministers, lest state governments get destabilised. Rahul Gandhi has been insistent that he would not continue as Congress president but a section of the younger leadership feels that he should change his stand. They harbour the grouse that senior leadership did not do anything to make Rahul Gandhi change his mind. But many senior leaders privately admit that every decision was taken by Rahul Gandhi and to say that seniors did not cooperate is factually incorrect. Rahul Gandhi on the past three occasions had made it very clear that he does not want to continue as the Congress president.

Resignations pour in support of Rahul Gandhi, pressure on senior Congress leaders to resign

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday refused to reconsider his decision to resign as the party president, saying he has taken full responsibility of party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.

"I have resigned after taking full responsibility and ensuring accountability for the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. I cannot ask others to resign too. It is up to them if they want to take responsibility," he told the Congress leaders in Haryana. 
 
He made the comments during a meeting with leaders from Haryana state coordination committee who urged him to continue to lead the party and take back his resignation.

Earlier, in a meeting of Congress Parliamentary party chaired by UPA chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, &nbsp;Gandhi told his party's Lok Sabha members that he was no longer the Congress president as he had resigned.

Rahul had offered to resign as the party chief at the May 25 meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) after the Lok Sabha elections. While the CWC had rejected his resignation and asked him to restructure the party at all levels. Since then party leaders have been trying to convince the Gandhi scion to reconsider his decision.

Last week, Gandhi had said the party would decide his successor. “I am not the right person to make a decision and will not get involved in that process,” he had said.

According to reports, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to be appointed as the next Congress president. Sources in the Delhi unit of the party say that a large chunk of Congress is in favour of Gehlot's elevation as the party chief.

Congress put a poor show in the Lok Sabha polls by winning just 52 seats, while the ruling BJP stormed back to power with 303 seats.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday refused to reconsider his decision to resign as the party president, saying he has taken full responsibility of party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday refused to reconsider his decision to resign as the party president, saying he has taken full responsibility of party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. "I have resigned after taking full responsibility and ensuring accountability for the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. I cannot ask others to resign too. It is up to them if they want to take responsibility," he told the Congress leaders in Haryana. He made the comments during a meeting with leaders from Haryana state coordination committee who urged him to continue to lead the party and take back his resignation. Earlier, in a meeting of Congress Parliamentary party chaired by UPA chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, Gandhi told his party's Lok Sabha members that he was no longer the Congress president as he had resigned. Rahul had offered to resign as the party chief at the May 25 meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) after the Lok Sabha elections. While the CWC had rejected his resignation and asked him to restructure the party at all levels. Since then party leaders have been trying to convince the Gandhi scion to reconsider his decision. Last week, Gandhi had said the party would decide his successor. “I am not the right person to make a decision and will not get involved in that process,” he had said. According to reports, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to be appointed as the next Congress president. Sources in the Delhi unit of the party say that a large chunk of Congress is in favour of Gehlot's elevation as the party chief. Congress put a poor show in the Lok Sabha polls by winning just 52 seats, while the ruling BJP stormed back to power with 303 seats. (With inputs from agencies)

I have resigned after taking full responsibility of Congress's defeat, says Rahul Gandhi

India Watch, 28th June 2019

In this segment of India Watch, know contribution of PV Narasimha Rao on his 98th anniversary. WION is in conversation with NV Subhash, who is grandson of PV Narasimha Rao. Watch this video to know more.

India Watch: Acknowledging the contribution of PV Narasimha Rao

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said he had offered to resign from the post of state Congress president after the party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

His remarks come in the backdrop of reports that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had expressed disappointment that none of the party leaders, holding top posts, took responsibility for the party's poll rout after the Gandhi scion decided to resign last month.

Rahul has been adamant on stepping down as the Congress chief.&nbsp;

Nath said he takes responsibility for the party's poor performance in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress bagged just one out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats.

"I take responsibility for the party's defeat in Lok Sabha elections in the state. Rahul Gandhi is right.

"I do not know who is responsible for the defeat but I had offered to quit the party post," Nath told reporters on the sidelines of a function here late Thursday night.

"I personally believe that I am responsible for the party's defeat. I do not know who else in responsible, he added.

A senior Congress leader said Nath had offered his resignation as state party president after the Lok Sabha poll results.

"Nath had said he takes moral responsibility for the party's defeat in the state," he added.

Nath was appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief in April 2018, while he took over as chief minister of the state in December last year.

Nath had offered to resign from the post of MPCC president after the Congress wrested power from the BJP after a gap of 15 years and he became chief minister.

However, he was asked by the Congress high command to continue in the party post.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said he had offered to resign from the post of state Congress president after the party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said he had offered to resign from the post of state Congress president after the party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. His remarks come in the backdrop of reports that Congress president Rahul Gandhi had expressed disappointment that none of the party leaders, holding top posts, took responsibility for the party's poll rout after the Gandhi scion decided to resign last month. Rahul has been adamant on stepping down as the Congress chief. Nath said he takes responsibility for the party's poor performance in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress bagged just one out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats. "I take responsibility for the party's defeat in Lok Sabha elections in the state. Rahul Gandhi is right. "I do not know who is responsible for the defeat but I had offered to quit the party post," Nath told reporters on the sidelines of a function here late Thursday night. "I personally believe that I am responsible for the party's defeat. I do not know who else in responsible, he added. A senior Congress leader said Nath had offered his resignation as state party president after the Lok Sabha poll results. "Nath had said he takes moral responsibility for the party's defeat in the state," he added. Nath was appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief in April 2018, while he took over as chief minister of the state in December last year. Nath had offered to resign from the post of MPCC president after the Congress wrested power from the BJP after a gap of 15 years and he became chief minister. However, he was asked by the Congress high command to continue in the party post.

Offered to quit as Madhya Pradesh Congress chief post party's Lok Sabha poll debacle: Kamal Nath

Those writing the political epitaph of the Gandhi family, particularly that of Rahul, would be well advised to hold their horses. Sure, at the moment, the situation looks grim for the Congress, particularly for its first family that has led India’s 134-year-old party up the garden path, potentially up to a point of no-return.

But the obvious weakness of the Congress — mainly its discredited leadership, or joint family leadership — is also its asset. The rest of the party, with its multi-faceted talents, even if somewhat short on mass appeal, may not be able to stick around for too long without a member of the Gandhi family at the helm.

Those suggesting that the Congress may break after a heavy second Lok Sabha drubbing, are daydreaming. A party that did not split with a rock-bottom 43 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 is unlikely to splinter at an improved 52 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.

Please note that not a single discordant note has been sounded in the Congress, despite another pathetic electoral performance. In any other party, including the BJP, such heavy reverses would have caused sufficient ripples within the leadership, party rank and file.

The reasons are not far to seek. Old timers in the party remember the PV Narasimha Rao era with some trepidation. The Congress suffered a series of splits during the 1990s. Rao faced difficulties right after taking over, in running the government as well as the party. There was mistrust between him and veterans such as Arjun Singh and ND Tiwari. At the Tirupati AICC session in April 1992, Singh won the Congress Working Committee (CWC) polls with the highest margin; Sharad Pawar too was victorious. Rao asked the entire newly-elected CWC to resign on the pretext that there was not enough representation of women and Dalits. He then reconstituted the CWC and included Singh in the nominated category.

But the trouble was far from over. After the demolition of Babri Masjid, Singh started spreading the view that Rao was not secular enough. A power struggle ensued in which Rao lost Sonia Gandhi’s support because he was not seen as active enough on the question of Rajiv’s assassination.

In 1994, the Congress lost in Rao’s home state Andhra Pradesh, which emboldened his critics. The feud resulted in Arjun Singh’s ouster from the Cabinet and suspension from the party, resulting in another split. A breakaway faction was formed with ND Tiwari as president and Arjun Singh as working president. After running a minority government for five years, the Congress lost power in 1996. It would take them another eight years to come back. Rao resigned and AICC treasurer Sitaram Kesri took over, but he too was challenged by other senior leaders. The two years following the 1996 defeat saw backroom manoeuvring and intrigue. In the 1997 Congress presidential election, Kesri defeated Pawar and Pilot. Two years later, he was thrown out of the party after Sonia indicated a willingness to take over.

The broader point, however, is that in the absence of a Gandhi family member at the helm of the party, notably Sonia who had decided to lie low for several years after Rajiv’s assassination, the Congress was in a state of flux with periodic exodus of leaders big and small.

For the Congress to be revived from its comatose stage, it took a Sonia to get all factional leaders and party satraps under one roof by the time she took over in 1998. A year later, she had countered a rebellion from senior leader Sharad Pawar. But what had become clear in this turbulent decade was that the party could not survive without a Gandhi at the helm.

Even more stark was the realisation that the perpetually warring Congress leaders and factions, only listen to their first family, as there remains little scope of reconciliation among themselves.

Once again, politics is running true to form. A party that has been vanquished at the hustings, is pleading with the party president — who himself has been humbled in his bailiff Amethi — to kindly assume leadership of the party, indeed salvage the grand old party from distress and demoralisation. One senior leader after the other is making a case as strongly as possible for Rahul to shed his diffidence and take the bull by the horns, with the latter barely willing to demur.

Comically — if the situation was not so tragic — state Congress leaders have been asked to put in their papers and scapegoats are being pulled out of broom closets, without any responsibility being placed at the door of the top leadership.

One of the main reasons for the Congress to have reached this stage is its inability to introspect. There has been no inner-reflection — as a Gandhi or Nehru would have done — on where and how things have gone wrong and the remedies thereof. Instead, there is this touch of arrogance, with the BJP victory being attributed to fudged EVMs, smart marketing and even the devil’s luck. Not a word about the fading appeal of the once-mighty party, pushed further down the drain by a listless Gandhi family, whose stories of political planning for the polls, post the defeat, are too shocking to be true.

There is no candid admission that for a man who made his political debut in 2004, Rahul has not only not influenced any electoral outcome till 2019, but unbelievably, there is no known plan of action ahead. In fact, there appears little clarity on whether Congress even has a party president or not! 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-dynasty-glue-that-won-t-let-go-2765313">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Those writing the political epitaph of the Gandhi family, particularly that of Rahul, would be well advised to hold their horses. Sure, at the moment, the situation looks grim for the Congress, particularly for its first family that has led India’s 134-year-old party up the garden path, potentially up to a point of no-return.

Those writing the political epitaph of the Gandhi family, particularly that of Rahul, would be well advised to hold their horses. Sure, at the moment, the situation looks grim for the Congress, particularly for its first family that has led India’s 134-year-old party up the garden path, potentially up to a point of no-return. But the obvious weakness of the Congress — mainly its discredited leadership, or joint family leadership — is also its asset. The rest of the party, with its multi-faceted talents, even if somewhat short on mass appeal, may not be able to stick around for too long without a member of the Gandhi family at the helm. Those suggesting that the Congress may break after a heavy second Lok Sabha drubbing, are daydreaming. A party that did not split with a rock-bottom 43 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 is unlikely to splinter at an improved 52 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. Please note that not a single discordant note has been sounded in the Congress, despite another pathetic electoral performance. In any other party, including the BJP, such heavy reverses would have caused sufficient ripples within the leadership, party rank and file. The reasons are not far to seek. Old timers in the party remember the PV Narasimha Rao era with some trepidation. The Congress suffered a series of splits during the 1990s. Rao faced difficulties right after taking over, in running the government as well as the party. There was mistrust between him and veterans such as Arjun Singh and ND Tiwari. At the Tirupati AICC session in April 1992, Singh won the Congress Working Committee (CWC) polls with the highest margin; Sharad Pawar too was victorious. Rao asked the entire newly-elected CWC to resign on the pretext that there was not enough representation of women and Dalits. He then reconstituted the CWC and included Singh in the nominated category. But the trouble was far from over. After the demolition of Babri Masjid, Singh started spreading the view that Rao was not secular enough. A power struggle ensued in which Rao lost Sonia Gandhi’s support because he was not seen as active enough on the question of Rajiv’s assassination. In 1994, the Congress lost in Rao’s home state Andhra Pradesh, which emboldened his critics. The feud resulted in Arjun Singh’s ouster from the Cabinet and suspension from the party, resulting in another split. A breakaway faction was formed with ND Tiwari as president and Arjun Singh as working president. After running a minority government for five years, the Congress lost power in 1996. It would take them another eight years to come back. Rao resigned and AICC treasurer Sitaram Kesri took over, but he too was challenged by other senior leaders. The two years following the 1996 defeat saw backroom manoeuvring and intrigue. In the 1997 Congress presidential election, Kesri defeated Pawar and Pilot. Two years later, he was thrown out of the party after Sonia indicated a willingness to take over. The broader point, however, is that in the absence of a Gandhi family member at the helm of the party, notably Sonia who had decided to lie low for several years after Rajiv’s assassination, the Congress was in a state of flux with periodic exodus of leaders big and small. For the Congress to be revived from its comatose stage, it took a Sonia to get all factional leaders and party satraps under one roof by the time she took over in 1998. A year later, she had countered a rebellion from senior leader Sharad Pawar. But what had become clear in this turbulent decade was that the party could not survive without a Gandhi at the helm. Even more stark was the realisation that the perpetually warring Congress leaders and factions, only listen to their first family, as there remains little scope of reconciliation among themselves. Once again, politics is running true to form. A party that has been vanquished at the hustings, is pleading with the party president — who himself has been humbled in his bailiff Amethi — to kindly assume leadership of the party, indeed salvage the grand old party from distress and demoralisation. One senior leader after the other is making a case as strongly as possible for Rahul to shed his diffidence and take the bull by the horns, with the latter barely willing to demur. Comically — if the situation was not so tragic — state Congress leaders have been asked to put in their papers and scapegoats are being pulled out of broom closets, without any responsibility being placed at the door of the top leadership. One of the main reasons for the Congress to have reached this stage is its inability to introspect. There has been no inner-reflection — as a Gandhi or Nehru would have done — on where and how things have gone wrong and the remedies thereof. Instead, there is this touch of arrogance, with the BJP victory being attributed to fudged EVMs, smart marketing and even the devil’s luck. Not a word about the fading appeal of the once-mighty party, pushed further down the drain by a listless Gandhi family, whose stories of political planning for the polls, post the defeat, are too shocking to be true. There is no candid admission that for a man who made his political debut in 2004, Rahul has not only not influenced any electoral outcome till 2019, but unbelievably, there is no known plan of action ahead. In fact, there appears little clarity on whether Congress even has a party president or not! (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Congress culture: Dynasty glue that won’t let go

Veteran Communist leader Sudhakar Reddy on Thursday termed as "meaningless" the appeal of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the Congress and Left parties to come together with her party -- the TMC -- to fight the BJP.

Banerjee Wednesday reached out to opposition Congress and CPI(M) but the two parties rejected her appeal saying her policies are responsible for the saffron party's growth.

The national General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) said the Trinamool Congress chief still sees the Left parties as "enemies and not as political opponents".

"Several hundred of offices of the Left parties in West Bengal are still occupied by Trinamool. More than 100 people were killed. Several thousands were thrown out of their villages. Still, that type of attacks are going on", he told PTI.

The Chief Minister's appeal in this background is meaningless, Reddy said.

He further charged the ruling outfit in West Bengal with "attacking and destroying" the Left.

"It is she (Mamata) who is responsible for forcibly using violence against the Left in a very big way, and weaken the Left in West Bengal in the most undemocratic way and now what's the meaning of this appeal?", Reddy asked.

Left parties see the BJP as an "enemy" and would like to fight against it but at the same time view Trinamool as "equally a rival", he said.

Speaking during the debate on the Governor's address in the state Assembly in Kolkata, Banerjee had said the BJP is trying to run a parallel government in West Bengal and parties like the Congress and the CPI(M) should "join hands" with the Trinamool Congress to fight against it.&nbsp;

Veteran Communist leader Sudhakar Reddy on Thursday termed as "meaningless" the appeal of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the Congress and Left parties to come together with her party -- the TMC -- to fight the BJP.

Veteran Communist leader Sudhakar Reddy on Thursday termed as "meaningless" the appeal of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the Congress and Left parties to come together with her party -- the TMC -- to fight the BJP. Banerjee Wednesday reached out to opposition Congress and CPI(M) but the two parties rejected her appeal saying her policies are responsible for the saffron party's growth. The national General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) said the Trinamool Congress chief still sees the Left parties as "enemies and not as political opponents". "Several hundred of offices of the Left parties in West Bengal are still occupied by Trinamool. More than 100 people were killed. Several thousands were thrown out of their villages. Still, that type of attacks are going on", he told PTI. The Chief Minister's appeal in this background is meaningless, Reddy said. He further charged the ruling outfit in West Bengal with "attacking and destroying" the Left. "It is she (Mamata) who is responsible for forcibly using violence against the Left in a very big way, and weaken the Left in West Bengal in the most undemocratic way and now what's the meaning of this appeal?", Reddy asked. Left parties see the BJP as an "enemy" and would like to fight against it but at the same time view Trinamool as "equally a rival", he said. Speaking during the debate on the Governor's address in the state Assembly in Kolkata, Banerjee had said the BJP is trying to run a parallel government in West Bengal and parties like the Congress and the CPI(M) should "join hands" with the Trinamool Congress to fight against it.

Mamata Banerjee's appeal for Left, Congress, TMC to join hands 'meaningless': Sudhakar Reddy

Watch India Watch, 26th June 2019. To know more watch the video

India Watch, 26th June 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the second day in a row, kept the focus snugly on the Congress, berating it over issues ranging from voting machines, Citizens' list in Assam and the passing of bills in Rajya Sabha. Amid the crisis in the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's resignation from the party chief's post, he even mocked it over its handling of victory and defeat.

India Watch: PM Modi addresses Rajya Sabha

On the 44th of the Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several BJP leaders recalled the period as "one of the darkest chapters in India's history" and marked the day as when "democracy was strangulated".

India Watch: The story of emergency in India

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, once again, reiterated his stance to quit as the party chief.&nbsp;

In a meeting of Congress Parliamentary party chaired by UPA chief Sonia Gandhi, Congress leaders urged him to continue as the party president, however, Rahul stuck to his decision to step down from the post.

Gandhi had offered to resign as the party chief at the May 25 meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) after the Lok Sabha elections. While the CWC had rejected his resignation and asked him to restructure the party at all levels. Since then party leaders have been trying to convince the Gandhi scion to reconsider his decision. 
 
Members of Youth Congress also staged a demonstration outside Rahul's residence urging him to continue as the party chief.

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Delhi: Members of Youth Congress and workers of the party demonstrate outside the residence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi urging him to take back his resignation and continue as the party President. <a href="https://t.co/KIMvCKuS11">pic.twitter.com/KIMvCKuS11</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1143766728121319424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Last week, Gandhi had said the party would decide his successor. “I am not the right person to make a decision and will not get involved in that process,” he had said. 
 
According to reports, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to be appointed as the next Congress president. Sources in the Delhi unit of the party say that a large chunk of Congress is in favour of Gehlot's elevation as the party chief.

Furthermore, the party had dissolved its units in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh earlier this month&nbsp;and similar decisions are likely to come for some other states too.

Congress put a poor show in the Lok Sabha polls by winning just 52 seats, while the ruling BJP stormed back to power with 303 seats. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, once again, reiterated his stance to quit as the party chief. In a meeting of Congress Parliamentary party chaired by UPA chief Sonia Gandhi, Congress leaders urged him to continue as the party president, however, Rahul stuck to his decision to step down from the post.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, once again, reiterated his stance to quit as the party chief. In a meeting of Congress Parliamentary party chaired by UPA chief Sonia Gandhi, Congress leaders urged him to continue as the party president, however, Rahul stuck to his decision to step down from the post. Gandhi had offered to resign as the party chief at the May 25 meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) after the Lok Sabha elections. While the CWC had rejected his resignation and asked him to restructure the party at all levels. Since then party leaders have been trying to convince the Gandhi scion to reconsider his decision. Members of Youth Congress also staged a demonstration outside Rahul's residence urging him to continue as the party chief. Delhi: Members of Youth Congress and workers of the party demonstrate outside the residence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi urging him to take back his resignation and continue as the party President. pic.twitter.com/KIMvCKuS11 — ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2019 × Last week, Gandhi had said the party would decide his successor. “I am not the right person to make a decision and will not get involved in that process,” he had said. According to reports, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is likely to be appointed as the next Congress president. Sources in the Delhi unit of the party say that a large chunk of Congress is in favour of Gehlot's elevation as the party chief. Furthermore, the party had dissolved its units in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh earlier this month and similar decisions are likely to come for some other states too. Congress put a poor show in the Lok Sabha polls by winning just 52 seats, while the ruling BJP stormed back to power with 303 seats. (With inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi adamant to quit as Congress president

Watch India Watch, 25th June 2019. To know more watch the video

India Watch, 25th June 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first speech in Parliament after his party returned to power with a massive majority, was as much about Congress roasting as showcasing the achievements of his government.

India Watch: PM Modi addresses the lower house

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asked the Congress to “not miss” another opportunity to empower Muslim women and sought the opposition party’s support for the bill on triple talaq. Replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Modi quoted a former minister in the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government as saying in an interview that its leaders claimed that it was not the duty of their party to uplift Muslims and “if they want to lie in gutter let them be”.&nbsp;

He made these remarks while referring to a law brought by the then Congress government to overrule the Supreme Court judgement on the Shah Bano case to placate Muslims.

When his remarks drew a sharp reaction from the Congress, the Prime Minister said he could share the YouTube link of the interview. He said the Congress has missed many chances to empower Muslim women and has got one more opportunity. Modi said this in reference to the triple talaq bill introduced in the Lok Sabha by the government.

The bill had lapsed as it could not be passed by Parliament during the tenure of the 16th Lok Sabha. It had faced stiff resistance from the opposition including the Congress for allegedly being against fundamental rights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asked the Congress to “not miss” another opportunity to empower Muslim women and sought the opposition party’s support for the bill on triple talaq.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday asked the Congress to “not miss” another opportunity to empower Muslim women and sought the opposition party’s support for the bill on triple talaq. Replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Modi quoted a former minister in the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government as saying in an interview that its leaders claimed that it was not the duty of their party to uplift Muslims and “if they want to lie in gutter let them be”. He made these remarks while referring to a law brought by the then Congress government to overrule the Supreme Court judgement on the Shah Bano case to placate Muslims. When his remarks drew a sharp reaction from the Congress, the Prime Minister said he could share the YouTube link of the interview. He said the Congress has missed many chances to empower Muslim women and has got one more opportunity. Modi said this in reference to the triple talaq bill introduced in the Lok Sabha by the government. The bill had lapsed as it could not be passed by Parliament during the tenure of the 16th Lok Sabha. It had faced stiff resistance from the opposition including the Congress for allegedly being against fundamental rights.

Congress missed many opportunities to empower Muslim women: PM Modi

PM Modi while addressing parliament today says that people of India are satisfied with the work of the NDA government. Moreover, he also credits opposition for conducting healthy debates. 'Our government follows and will follow a path of development' he added.

Parliament live: 'People of India are satisfied with NDA government' says PM Modi

The principle reason why Indian liberalism has turned on its head is because of dynasties which have spawned all across political parties. Dynasties are undemocratic in nature, and hence, the functioning of the political parties remain undemocratic.

Social mobility lies at the core of liberal values. Liberalism was a movement against medieval institutions which stood for the politics of birth and entitlement. The aristocracy wanted to perpetuate the old order which liberal values challenged.

Liberal order fought for mobility in the society which freed labour and mind from traditional structures of social and political hierarchies. Indian democratic politics started with liberal politics at helms of the affair. The conservatives in Indian politics immediately after 1947 were a minority and did not enjoy social and cultural gravitas.

70 years down the line, every party in India claiming itself to be liberal has turned dynastic and conservative. BJP seems to be the only party holding ground to rampant dynasticism which exists in Indian politics.

The irony is that BJP does not call itself liberal but demonstrates the fastest political mobility within the organisation. It is not as if families are absent in RSS-BJP. They do exist, but power transition does not take place within one family. BJP is not hostage to one family. The party firmly rests on the principle of ideology than family loyalty. The vote catching job is not rested on the shoulder of the charism of a clan but on the organisation which has the build in capacity to outlast any individual. It is for this reason that BJP was able to make a transition from Vajpayee to Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

The other big reason why parties which claim to be liberal became highly elitist and short on mobility because successive generations became more and more westernised but not the party. It created a social circuit within the all-powerful political spectrum which was distinct and different from the culture and ideology of the organisation.

For example, Rajiv Gandhi in 1980s wanted to change the party with his friends. Rahul Gandhi also fought with the top Congress brass with little help from his friends. Other regional parties have witnessed this development with various degrees. Such social circuits operate in most of the parties and claim to hold liberal values. This circle involves people related to the first family of a party in a personal way where loyalty to the family members is ranked over and above the organisation.

If one looks at BJP-RSS Parivar, the ideology of the parent outfit and health of the organisation is given primacy over the individual. Moreover, frontal organisations of RSS and BJP became a conduit to mainframe which is not the case with many other parties. Many leaders of these two subsets constitute the top rung of BJP now. Today, Congress cannot boost such mobility. The regional parties run by dynasts cannot promise mobility.

Mobility means that every post in a political party should be open to contest. Those parties which band around a family do not have the right to exist in modern societies because they only end up perpetuating a feudal system. Such parties should wither away making space for healthier options to come up. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

The principle reason why Indian liberalism has turned on its head is because of dynasties which have spawned all across political parties. Dynasties are undemocratic in nature, and hence, the functioning of the political parties remain undemocratic.

The principle reason why Indian liberalism has turned on its head is because of dynasties which have spawned all across political parties. Dynasties are undemocratic in nature, and hence, the functioning of the political parties remain undemocratic. Social mobility lies at the core of liberal values. Liberalism was a movement against medieval institutions which stood for the politics of birth and entitlement. The aristocracy wanted to perpetuate the old order which liberal values challenged. Liberal order fought for mobility in the society which freed labour and mind from traditional structures of social and political hierarchies. Indian democratic politics started with liberal politics at helms of the affair. The conservatives in Indian politics immediately after 1947 were a minority and did not enjoy social and cultural gravitas. 70 years down the line, every party in India claiming itself to be liberal has turned dynastic and conservative. BJP seems to be the only party holding ground to rampant dynasticism which exists in Indian politics. The irony is that BJP does not call itself liberal but demonstrates the fastest political mobility within the organisation. It is not as if families are absent in RSS-BJP. They do exist, but power transition does not take place within one family. BJP is not hostage to one family. The party firmly rests on the principle of ideology than family loyalty. The vote catching job is not rested on the shoulder of the charism of a clan but on the organisation which has the build in capacity to outlast any individual. It is for this reason that BJP was able to make a transition from Vajpayee to Narendra Modi. The other big reason why parties which claim to be liberal became highly elitist and short on mobility because successive generations became more and more westernised but not the party. It created a social circuit within the all-powerful political spectrum which was distinct and different from the culture and ideology of the organisation. For example, Rajiv Gandhi in 1980s wanted to change the party with his friends. Rahul Gandhi also fought with the top Congress brass with little help from his friends. Other regional parties have witnessed this development with various degrees. Such social circuits operate in most of the parties and claim to hold liberal values. This circle involves people related to the first family of a party in a personal way where loyalty to the family members is ranked over and above the organisation. If one looks at BJP-RSS Parivar, the ideology of the parent outfit and health of the organisation is given primacy over the individual. Moreover, frontal organisations of RSS and BJP became a conduit to mainframe which is not the case with many other parties. Many leaders of these two subsets constitute the top rung of BJP now. Today, Congress cannot boost such mobility. The regional parties run by dynasts cannot promise mobility. Mobility means that every post in a political party should be open to contest. Those parties which band around a family do not have the right to exist in modern societies because they only end up perpetuating a feudal system. Such parties should wither away making space for healthier options to come up. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Why liberal political parties run by dynasts are a gated community

Amid uncertainty over Rahul Gandhi continuing as the Congress president, All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday dissolved all district committees of the party in Uttar Pradesh.

AICC has also formed a two-member team to oversee preparations and management in All Vidhan Sabha seats of UP East and West where byelections are taking place.

"AICC has approved the following proposals submitted by the General Secretaries in UP East and West," said the statement issued by AICC. 
 
The statement further said that the party will form a three-member disciplinary committee to examine complaints of indiscipline in the party during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 
 
The development comes after&nbsp;Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia, in-charge of eastern and western Uttar Pradesh respectively, met party leaders to discuss the party's rout in the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

The Congress, which won two Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014, was reduced to just one seat in the recent elections.&nbsp;

Last week, Congress had dissolved its unit in Karnataka while retaining its president and working president. Rumblings within the Karnataka Congress unit have grown amid the reports of differences over the functioning of the Congress-JD(S) government in the state. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Amid uncertainty over Rahul Gandhi continuing as the Congress president, All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday dissolved all district committees of the party in Uttar Pradesh.

Amid uncertainty over Rahul Gandhi continuing as the Congress president, All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday dissolved all district committees of the party in Uttar Pradesh. AICC has also formed a two-member team to oversee preparations and management in All Vidhan Sabha seats of UP East and West where byelections are taking place. "AICC has approved the following proposals submitted by the General Secretaries in UP East and West," said the statement issued by AICC. The statement further said that the party will form a three-member disciplinary committee to examine complaints of indiscipline in the party during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The development comes after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Jyotiraditya Scindia, in-charge of eastern and western Uttar Pradesh respectively, met party leaders to discuss the party's rout in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. The Congress, which won two Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014, was reduced to just one seat in the recent elections. Last week, Congress had dissolved its unit in Karnataka while retaining its president and working president. Rumblings within the Karnataka Congress unit have grown amid the reports of differences over the functioning of the Congress-JD(S) government in the state. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress dissolves all district committees in Uttar Pradesh

Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda has said that mid-term polls are imminent in Karnataka as he accused the Congress party of creating undue pressure on the coalition government in the state. Watch this video to know more.

India Watch: Deve Gowda Slams Congress

The Triple Talaq Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday amid&nbsp;opposition from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and&nbsp;All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi over criminalising the offence.

The bill was put to vote and 156 members voted for introduction and 74 against it.

The voting was held through paper slips as the new Members of Parliament have not yet been allotted division number that allows them to vote using polling machine.

Speaker Om Birla then allowed Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to introduce the bill. Earlier he put up a stiff defence of the government move saying the issue was not of religion but of women.

Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the bill and said, ''Rights of Muslim women will be protected. It is about justice &amp; empowerment of women.''

''People have chosen us to make laws. It is our work to make laws. Law is to give justice to the victims of Triple Talaq,'' Prasad added.

Shashi Tharoor opposed the introduction of Triple Talaq Bill and said, ''The bill does nothing to improve the status of Muslim women.''

Asaduddin Owaisi also opposed and said,''&nbsp;Triple Talaq bill is unconstitutional. It's a violation of Constitution's Article 14 &amp; 15. We already have Domestic Violence Act 2005, CrPC Section 125, Muslim Women Marriage Act. If Triple Talaq Bill becomes a law it will be even greater injustice against women.''

Ravi Shankar Prasad on Congress opposing the Bill&nbsp;said,''&nbsp;It was a matter of great distress that Congress chose to oppose the introduction of Triple Talaq Bill. Earlier they had not opposed it, last time they had walked out from Lok Sabha. But today they were siding with the likes of Mr Owaisi who were opposing it.&nbsp;A woman leader like Sonia Gandhi ji is the leader of Congress party, yet Congress party takes an anti-women position in the Lok Sabha, opposing even the introduction of the Bill, I must say it is not only painful but deeply regrettable.''

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 seeks to replace an ordinance by the government in February.

The Triple Talaq Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday amid opposition from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi over criminalising the offence.

The Triple Talaq Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday amid opposition from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi over criminalising the offence. The bill was put to vote and 156 members voted for introduction and 74 against it. The voting was held through paper slips as the new Members of Parliament have not yet been allotted division number that allows them to vote using polling machine. Speaker Om Birla then allowed Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to introduce the bill. Earlier he put up a stiff defence of the government move saying the issue was not of religion but of women. Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the bill and said, ''Rights of Muslim women will be protected. It is about justice & empowerment of women.'' ''People have chosen us to make laws. It is our work to make laws. Law is to give justice to the victims of Triple Talaq,'' Prasad added. Shashi Tharoor opposed the introduction of Triple Talaq Bill and said, ''The bill does nothing to improve the status of Muslim women.'' Asaduddin Owaisi also opposed and said,'' Triple Talaq bill is unconstitutional. It's a violation of Constitution's Article 14 & 15. We already have Domestic Violence Act 2005, CrPC Section 125, Muslim Women Marriage Act. If Triple Talaq Bill becomes a law it will be even greater injustice against women.'' Ravi Shankar Prasad on Congress opposing the Bill said,'' It was a matter of great distress that Congress chose to oppose the introduction of Triple Talaq Bill. Earlier they had not opposed it, last time they had walked out from Lok Sabha. But today they were siding with the likes of Mr Owaisi who were opposing it. A woman leader like Sonia Gandhi ji is the leader of Congress party, yet Congress party takes an anti-women position in the Lok Sabha, opposing even the introduction of the Bill, I must say it is not only painful but deeply regrettable.'' The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 seeks to replace an ordinance by the government in February.

Opposition parties clash as Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduces Triple Talaq Bill in Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tweeted out wishes for Congress President Rahul Gandhi on his birthday.

''Best wishes to Shri @RahulGandhi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and a long life,'' PM Modi tweeted.

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Gandhi, who turned 49 today will meet Congress leaders at the party headquarters later in the day.&nbsp;

Yesterday, after Rahul Gandhi refused to take up the post,&nbsp;Member of Parliament from Baharampur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-names-adhir-ranjan-chowdhury-party-chief-in-lok-sabha-228280">named&nbsp;party chief in Lok Sabha</a>.

Gandhi-led Congress saw a humiliating defeat against PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently held general elections. Though, Gandhi won by 4,31,063 votes against&nbsp;his nearest rival Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s PP Suneer in&nbsp;Wayanad constituency.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tweeted out wishes for Congress President Rahul Gandhi on his birthday. ''Best wishes to Shri @RahulGandhi on his birthday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tweeted out wishes for Congress President Rahul Gandhi on his birthday. ''Best wishes to Shri @RahulGandhi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and a long life,'' PM Modi tweeted. Best wishes to Shri @RahulGandhi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and a long life. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2019 × Gandhi, who turned 49 today will meet Congress leaders at the party headquarters later in the day. Yesterday, after Rahul Gandhi refused to take up the post, Member of Parliament from Baharampur Lok Sabha seat of West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, was named party chief in Lok Sabha. Gandhi-led Congress saw a humiliating defeat against PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently held general elections. Though, Gandhi won by 4,31,063 votes against his nearest rival Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s PP Suneer in Wayanad constituency.

PM Modi wishes Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on his birthday

Watch India Watch, 19th June 2019. To know more watch the video

Watch India Watch, 19th June 2019

The Congress on Tuesday suspended MLA R Roshan Baig from the party with immediate effect for his ''anti-party'' activities.

Shivajinagar MLA had held Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the defeat of Congress party in the recently held general elections.

Baig also hinted on quitting the party and requesting Muslims to "compromise" with the situation, on NDA returning to power.

"All India Congress Committee has approved the proposal sent by KPCC to take action against R Roshan Baig, MLA on account of his anti-party activities," the state Congress said in a release.

"He has been suspended from the party with immediate effect, on the basis of inquiry conducted on this matter," it said.

According to sources, Baig has not responded to show cause notice for his conduct issued by Karnataka PCC.

Baig, a seven-time MLA and a former minister, has been expressing displeasure against the Congress party leadership on not being included in the coalition cabinet headed by H D Kumaraswamy.

The Congress on Tuesday suspended MLA R Roshan Baig from the party with immediate effect for his ''anti-party'' activities. Shivajinagar MLA had held Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the defeat of Congress party in the recently held general elections.

The Congress on Tuesday suspended MLA R Roshan Baig from the party with immediate effect for his ''anti-party'' activities. Shivajinagar MLA had held Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the defeat of Congress party in the recently held general elections. Baig also hinted on quitting the party and requesting Muslims to "compromise" with the situation, on NDA returning to power. "All India Congress Committee has approved the proposal sent by KPCC to take action against R Roshan Baig, MLA on account of his anti-party activities," the state Congress said in a release. "He has been suspended from the party with immediate effect, on the basis of inquiry conducted on this matter," it said. According to sources, Baig has not responded to show cause notice for his conduct issued by Karnataka PCC. Baig, a seven-time MLA and a former minister, has been expressing displeasure against the Congress party leadership on not being included in the coalition cabinet headed by H D Kumaraswamy.

Congress suspends Karnataka MLA Roshan Baig for 'anti-party' activities

Jessie J took to social media on Saturday to pen a loved-up note for her baby daddy.&nbsp;The English singer has mostly remained tight-lipped about the identity of her boyfriend but it seems that she is ready to introduce her man to the world.

Sharing a sweet tribute for her boyfriend of nearly two years shortly after they welcomed their first child, Jessi J wrote, "I struggle to keep things private. I think if you know me you know that. I want to protect the people I love and keep it for just myself. And then so often I think f**k it because life is short [and] I don’t want to regret it. Once you open the door you can’t close it."

The singer went on to reveal that she "met this man"&nbsp;a few weeks after&nbsp;she suffered a miscarriage in 2021. "Like a beam of light, he lit up my dark days,"&nbsp;the England native wrote while&nbsp;uploading a picture&nbsp;from the OT as she was giving birth. "It was a whirlwind love and a miracle that we fell pregnant naturally with not one issue. Grateful doesn’t cut it. He has given me many of the best gifts of my life."

Jessi continued,&nbsp;"He didn’t let go of my hand [during childbirth] and I wouldn’t have been able to go through it without him. The calm to my crazy. The peace to my fear. The Daddy to my baby. Thank you."

Check it out below!

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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/shahid-kapoor-opens-up-on-working-with-kriti-sanon-for-the-first-time-says-she-is-on-the-top-of-her-game-600172">Shahid Kapoor opens up on working with Kriti Sanon for the first time, says 'She is on the top of her game'</a>

Jessie suffered a pregnancy loss&nbsp;in November 2021 after deciding to have a baby on her own. In January this year, she revealed that she is expecting again and will soon welcome her rainbow baby with her baby daddy. For those unaware, rainbow baby&nbsp;is a name coined for "a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death".

In May, she welcomed her little munchkin, while keeping the identity of the baby daddy under wraps.

"A week ago my whole life changed. My son entered this world and my heart grew twice the size. The feeling is indescribable [and] I am flying in love. He is magic. He is all my dreams come true [and] he is my whole,"&nbsp;Jessie wrote on an Instagram on May 19. "He and I are both doing great. I am soaking up every second and still can’t believe he is real, here and mine. I am so grateful."

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Jessie J took to social media on Saturday to pen a loved-up note for her baby daddy. The English singer has mostly remained tight-lipped about the identity of her boyfriend but it seems that she is ready to introduce her man to the world.

Jessie J took to social media on Saturday to pen a loved-up note for her baby daddy. The English singer has mostly remained tight-lipped about the identity of her boyfriend but it seems that she is ready to introduce her man to the world. Sharing a sweet tribute for her boyfriend of nearly two years shortly after they welcomed their first child, Jessi J wrote, "I struggle to keep things private. I think if you know me you know that. I want to protect the people I love and keep it for just myself. And then so often I think f**k it because life is short [and] I don’t want to regret it. Once you open the door you can’t close it." The singer went on to reveal that she "met this man" a few weeks after she suffered a miscarriage in 2021. "Like a beam of light, he lit up my dark days," the England native wrote while uploading a picture from the OT as she was giving birth. "It was a whirlwind love and a miracle that we fell pregnant naturally with not one issue. Grateful doesn’t cut it. He has given me many of the best gifts of my life." Jessi continued, "He didn’t let go of my hand [during childbirth] and I wouldn’t have been able to go through it without him. The calm to my crazy. The peace to my fear. The Daddy to my baby. Thank you." Check it out below! Also read: Shahid Kapoor opens up on working with Kriti Sanon for the first time, says 'She is on the top of her game' Jessie suffered a pregnancy loss in November 2021 after deciding to have a baby on her own. In January this year, she revealed that she is expecting again and will soon welcome her rainbow baby with her baby daddy. For those unaware, rainbow baby is a name coined for "a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death". In May, she welcomed her little munchkin, while keeping the identity of the baby daddy under wraps. "A week ago my whole life changed. My son entered this world and my heart grew twice the size. The feeling is indescribable [and] I am flying in love. He is magic. He is all my dreams come true [and] he is my whole," Jessie wrote on an Instagram on May 19. "He and I are both doing great. I am soaking up every second and still can’t believe he is real, here and mine. I am so grateful." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Opposition parties to huddle before taking call on attending PM Modi's simultaneous poll meet

Political capital is not eternal, and Sonia Gandhi is one such example in Indian politics. Once a saviour, a person who renounced the position of the Prime Minister plainly and simply, today comes across as a dynast who has failed to gauge the change in society and decline of her organisation simultaneously.&nbsp;

A lot of blame has been heaped on Rahul Gandhi who has already conceded defeat but in essence, today's Congress is in shambles&nbsp;because Sonia Gandhi’s model of politics has collapsed with the generational shift in&nbsp;its core leadership.

When Sonia Gandhi, took charge of the Congress, the organisation was demoralised but existed in many states with plenty of leaders. Her work was primarily focused on getting the Congress families together all across India.&nbsp;

She did not overhaul the organisation. She only ensured that state satraps are aligned to the leadership who otherwise were not interested in listening to each other. The politics of regional satraps also worked because of mystique surrounding Sonia Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi had the deep sympathy of people because of the tragic circumstance in which Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated.

This model worked well till Sonia Gandhi was around and actively ensuring that satraps were allowed to perpetuate little dynasties at the regional and local level.

Ironically, the weakness lied at the heart of the 'Satrap system'. Unlike BJP, all of them could chart an independent journey outside the Congress fold, taking workers in lock stock and barrel with them.

Secondly, all the leaders pre-existed who were principally spawned by Indira and Sanjay Gandhi. I would say, primarily Sanjay Gandhi. Lastly, the only glue which kept the satraps together was power and not ideology. It is for this reason, Congress today witnesses exodus of leaders at an alarming level, emptying the party at district levels as workers never belonged to the organisation but to a set of local leaders.&nbsp;

Her lack of work on organisation and focus on individual-family connection politics not only added to the downfall in 2014 but also repeat defeat in 2019. The Congress calculation was again hinged on a number of regional and local dynasts who would be able to retain their seats. In 2019, the only party won and individual candidates barring odd few lost. It is only for the party work and smart alliance, Congress won seats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and for lack of organisation, all-star candidates lost to BJP which enjoys a heady combination of strong organisation married to charismatic leadership.&nbsp;

In a way, 2019 has ended Sonia Gandhi’s model of politics completely. Many would say as to where does Rahul Gandhi stand in all this? I would say that his tinkering with NSUI and Youth Congress acted as a catalyst for the demise of the system which was already rotting from within. Instead of picking and pushing fresh talent, elections made the process expensive, casting out poorer and not so rich aspirants.

He could also not organise the satraps on non-dynastic lines because he himself is a dynast and could not convince anybody of sacrifice their own children for the party’s health. In fact, he added to the dynasty by inducting his sister directly as a General Secretary. With no political equity, no organisation and incoherent ideology, it was a lost cause already.

Today, Sonia Gandhi only comes across as a dynast dressed up Nehruvian socialism which has been resoundingly defeated. 2019 also marks the coming of age for the national middle class which can make or break Indian elections.&nbsp;

There is a piece of advice which Congress can use.&nbsp;“Pehle Vichaar Hota hai, Vichaar Kee Neev Par Sangathan Banta hai Aur Sangathan ki Buniyad par Satta Miltee Hai."

The process seems to be in a reverse mode in Congress. The best example is&nbsp;that of Rahul Gandhi who in 2005 at Hyderabad Plenary said that national flag is his religion. The same man by 2017 became a Janeu Dhari Shiv Bhakta begging the question, which is the real Congress and what does it stands for today. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

Political capital is not eternal, and Sonia Gandhi is one such example in Indian politics. Once a saviour, a person who renounced the position of the Prime Minister plainly and simply, today comes across as a dynast who has failed to gauge the change in society and decline of her organisation simultaneously.

Political capital is not eternal, and Sonia Gandhi is one such example in Indian politics. Once a saviour, a person who renounced the position of the Prime Minister plainly and simply, today comes across as a dynast who has failed to gauge the change in society and decline of her organisation simultaneously. A lot of blame has been heaped on Rahul Gandhi who has already conceded defeat but in essence, today's Congress is in shambles because Sonia Gandhi’s model of politics has collapsed with the generational shift in its core leadership. When Sonia Gandhi, took charge of the Congress, the organisation was demoralised but existed in many states with plenty of leaders. Her work was primarily focused on getting the Congress families together all across India. She did not overhaul the organisation. She only ensured that state satraps are aligned to the leadership who otherwise were not interested in listening to each other. The politics of regional satraps also worked because of mystique surrounding Sonia Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi had the deep sympathy of people because of the tragic circumstance in which Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. This model worked well till Sonia Gandhi was around and actively ensuring that satraps were allowed to perpetuate little dynasties at the regional and local level. Ironically, the weakness lied at the heart of the 'Satrap system'. Unlike BJP, all of them could chart an independent journey outside the Congress fold, taking workers in lock stock and barrel with them. Secondly, all the leaders pre-existed who were principally spawned by Indira and Sanjay Gandhi. I would say, primarily Sanjay Gandhi. Lastly, the only glue which kept the satraps together was power and not ideology. It is for this reason, Congress today witnesses exodus of leaders at an alarming level, emptying the party at district levels as workers never belonged to the organisation but to a set of local leaders. Her lack of work on organisation and focus on individual-family connection politics not only added to the downfall in 2014 but also repeat defeat in 2019. The Congress calculation was again hinged on a number of regional and local dynasts who would be able to retain their seats. In 2019, the only party won and individual candidates barring odd few lost. It is only for the party work and smart alliance, Congress won seats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and for lack of organisation, all-star candidates lost to BJP which enjoys a heady combination of strong organisation married to charismatic leadership. In a way, 2019 has ended Sonia Gandhi’s model of politics completely. Many would say as to where does Rahul Gandhi stand in all this? I would say that his tinkering with NSUI and Youth Congress acted as a catalyst for the demise of the system which was already rotting from within. Instead of picking and pushing fresh talent, elections made the process expensive, casting out poorer and not so rich aspirants. He could also not organise the satraps on non-dynastic lines because he himself is a dynast and could not convince anybody of sacrifice their own children for the party’s health. In fact, he added to the dynasty by inducting his sister directly as a General Secretary. With no political equity, no organisation and incoherent ideology, it was a lost cause already. Today, Sonia Gandhi only comes across as a dynast dressed up Nehruvian socialism which has been resoundingly defeated. 2019 also marks the coming of age for the national middle class which can make or break Indian elections. There is a piece of advice which Congress can use. “Pehle Vichaar Hota hai, Vichaar Kee Neev Par Sangathan Banta hai Aur Sangathan ki Buniyad par Satta Miltee Hai." The process seems to be in a reverse mode in Congress. The best example is that of Rahul Gandhi who in 2005 at Hyderabad Plenary said that national flag is his religion. The same man by 2017 became a Janeu Dhari Shiv Bhakta begging the question, which is the real Congress and what does it stands for today. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Rise and fall of Sonia Gandhi

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