Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Does Rahul Gandhi need the Congress or vice versa?' that was published in Newsband

Does Rahul Gandhi need the Congress or vice versa?

Why is Congress party shielding Rahul Gandhi? Is it because of the risk of electoral failure or are they looking to him for political leadership and guidance?

Party's old guard know about Sri. Rahul Gandhi's lack of leadership qualities, as of now, but have to sail with the current as they have benefited one way or other, by their association with the party and the family. What is worrying is that the Congress Party could not look beyond the family for leadership. Congress party could throw up leaders in their own right and not because of heredity.

What is the use of making Gandhi the president of a national party? He doesn’t seem to have much interest in taking responsibility? In the past elections, he would help more in attracting masses than displaying competent leadership. The Congress Party has to reorganise itself and look out for an energetic young man from outside the family - someone who can lead the party to greater heights.

Congress, like any Political Party, needs a leader whose right to lead is not questioned at every step but Congress simply does not have such a leader. Fortunately, for Rahul Gandhi, he was born with a political foot in his mouth. His lineage is the only reason why he is on the verge of being coronated. Otherwise, a person of his calibre will not even dream of becoming Congress President. Members of the party’s old guard are sure of his lack of leadership skills but do not dare to cross his mother Sonia Gandhi and oppose his ascension. They were all willing participants in the corruption and scams one way or other and at one time or other during the decades of Congress rule. They have no chance or choice but to sink with Rahul Gandhi.

Clearly, Rahul Gandhi is uninterested in leading the INC and only the others, fearful of losing their political positions, are forcing him. Politics is a full-time job. Unfortunately for Rahul, he wants to have one foot here and another foot elsewhere. This is dangerous for the party because the rudderless INC ship is riddled with gaping holes and the sea is rough with a brewing storm in the horizon.

The widespread opinion is that he simply doesn't have it in him to do so. There are other capable hands in the INC but after Mahatma Gandhi thrust Pandit Nehru as the Congress President on an unwilling INC immediately after Motilal's term, INC has become a family property.

Congress depending on Rahul Gandhi is not surprising given its tradition of dynastic leadership. Sooner or later, the politics of Congress has to evolve around Gandhi. But, his interest and zeal in politics is found wanting over the past few years. This has weakened the party to a large extent. In addition, Sonia's ill-health further deteriorated the chances of the party. Now, the party is in need of a leader from outside the family to make some impression. But, this may not suffice to thwart forces of Hindutva from retaining power.