In a major development that may have big impact on national politics, if party sources are to be believed, Rahul Gandhi has “agreed” to take over the reins as Congress president. He is all set to make a fresh and grand start ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. There are indications that in his second innings, he will be re-launched in a new avatar and will get a free hand in taking party decisions.
At the time of his resignation, he had clearly stated that someone outside the Gandhi family should get the responsibility for the post. Insiders say that Rahul Gandhi was adamant on not becoming the party president again. But now sources in the party say that on the basis of the feedback from the ground, Rahul Gandhi has made up his mind to sit in the saddle once again.
While Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were trying to persuade him till the last minute, the former had to take over as interim president. Being a mother and knowing Rahul Gandhi’s temperament, Sonia Gandhi chose patience over persuasion.
While all this was happening, Rahul Gandhi did not opt for any vacation this time; instead, he kept working for the organisation behind the scenes. Now the uncertainty among Congress workers will come to an end as Rahul Gandhi is on his way to becoming president again.
Sources suggest that this time, Rahul Gandhi is paying full attention to the Bihar Assembly elections. Having come out of the hangover of the Lok Sabha elections defeat, he now wants to go all out in Bihar.
His close confidants suggest that Rahul Gandhi has now understood that in politics, victory and defeat go hand-in-hand. He knows that Bihar results won’t be favourable to him, but still he wants to give his best shot.
It is believed that Rahul Gandhi can become the president again anytime between October 2020 and January 2021. But this time, Rahul Gandhi will take charge completely. He will not let any senior party leaders influence the decision-making process. In his last stint, he promised some “big reforms” but at the end, he had to make peace with senior leaders and satraps. There is a view that a series of such incidents had dented Rahul’s image, and gradually, followers had started to part ways from him. Eventually, Rahul Gandhi was left alone.
Of late, there has been a noticeable change in Rahul Gandhi’s social media political messages and even his appearance when he appeared online during ongoing coronavirus crisis. His new look and hair style also created quite a buzz in both public and political circles.
It is now certain that changes in the central and state organisations will only commence after the coronation of Rahul Gandhi. Earlier, there were reports which suggested that between July and October, some major reshuffle was likely to take place including restructuring the CWC and AICC, change in state presidents and state in-charge. All these moves have now been put on hold.
Meanwhile, Bihar can see some changes due to the forthcoming Assembly elections. But in the rest of the country, more or less things would remain the same.
MASS LEADERS TO GET FREE HAND
It is believed that Rahul Gandhi won’t take any decision in haste or excitement. In Haryana, he did not give full command to former Chief Minister Bhupendra Hooda before the election; in the end the Congress lost with a thin margin. Later, Rahul Gandhi openly acknowledged this error of judgement. But it is now believed that Hooda will get a free hand in Haryana. As per sources, Hooda’s handpicked Geeta Bhukkal could be made PCC chief. The same strategy will be followed in all the states as well.
INNOVATION & EXPERIMENT WILL CONTINUE
Rahul Gandhi had introduced a concept of secretary in-charge and interim president in all states in his last stint. In addition to that, he had also initiated innovation like data analytics, organisation of intellectuals and launch of Shakti project. With the return of Rahul Gandhi, one is likely to see more of such experiments in the near future as well.
Rahul Gandhi will continue to give opportunity to leaders of every section, especially youth and Dalit. It is certain that with his return, the national general secretary will be in the lead role with state in-charges. There will be two to four executive PCC chiefs in every state.
Although Rahul Gandhi wished to tour India before his second stint and had planned to start the padyatra from Gujarat to Gandhi Dham, this plan has now been shelved due to the Covid-19 pandemic.