India really needs a prime minister like Rahul Baba, writes Ashwini Ahuja.

THE RIGHT CHOICE
India really needs a prime minister like Rahul Baba, writes Ashwini Ahuja.
If you watch BR Chopra directed Ramayana on television channel you must have heard the name of Bharata –an unmatchable, devoted and ‘only one of its kind’ character and step brother of Lord Rama who, in his absence, installs lord Rama’s chappal, after seeking from him, on the throne as a symbol of respect and love for the exiled king who actually deserved the crown, while waiting for his return from 14 years exile in the forest and himself works as a regent of the king. Now, in present government, the prime minister of congress-led UPA regime, Dr. Manmohan Singh epitomizes the moral fiber of Bharata, who is in readily wait for the surfacing of any lord (Rahul, Priyanka, whosoever) from Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to lead the nation. Like Bharata to Lord Rama, Dr. Manmohan Singh too is much indebted to queen Sonia Gandhi who, in the year of 2004, had humbly turned down fond entreaties from senior congress workers to occupy prime ministerial post after the clamour over her birthplace Italy. The veteran leader and great economist Manmohan Singh was then chosen as a regent of Sonia Gandhi thanks to his loyalty towards Gandhi Nehru dynasty. Madam Sonia was later chosen the chairperson of ruling UPA to guide the veteran leader, much senior to her. Don’t surprise, in 122 year old and Moti Lal Nehru founded Congress party, even a junior family member of Nehru-Gandhi dynasty have the ability and right to guide much older and senior of the party so, now, why the media is hyped if someone proposes the projection of new guy Rahul Gandhi at the post of prime minister in the upcoming 2009 election snubbing the veterans and seniors in the party? With the proposal of HRD Minister Arjun Singh, the name of Rahul Gandhi, general secretary of the congress party for the candidacy of prime ministership along with Tamil Nadu’s chief minister M. Karunanidhi’s endorsement to the proposal ( Karunanidhi was miffed with Mrs. Indira Gandhi due to his government dismissal during emergency but was in high spirits with the magnanimity of Sonia Gandhi who rewarded him for his support to Manmohan Singh led government by giving the DMK some 12 ministers at the centre),it is a clear sign that party inwardly has geared up to welcome the prince. Reason: to pull the attention of youth towards congress party because the party has realized that it has lost its youth base. The defeat of congress in UP and Gujarat elections are also one of reasons among others was the lackadaisical performance of congress youth wing. There were not enough party workers at the grassroots who could even man the polling booths so Rahul has a plan in his mind building a core group of young people who could share their world views and solution to the ill which afflict the country. His mission is to bringing the youth back to congress before accepting other responsibility; even he humbly rejected his inclusion in the ministry at a recent reshuffle as he said he is unable to execute two duties at the same time. However, if we look back, it was Dr. Manmohan Singh who first sang the praises of Rahul Gandhi when the name of prince baba was floated before Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. We still remember Dr. Manmohan Singh had then said a remarkable point that Rahul is the future of India. Political analysts made no delay in sensing that the crown of prime minister was then eager to sit on the head of the yuvraj of Gandhi family but down to some certain reasons it was not considered the appropriate time to discuss the matter openly. First, the party focusing its all attentions towards UP assembly election. Second, Rahul had the mission ahead to explore India and meeting with people before donning the crown. He then visited Orissa and met poor, hungry and disease stricken people of the country with his own style like his grandmother and like father breaking away from the stereotyped programs. His mother Sonia Gandhi too had the previous experience of visiting the remotest areas of the country to understand different folks with husband when Rajeev Gandhi was prime minister. She too wanted Rahul visit the country’s remotest area before donning the crown. One of the most touching sights of one of those trips is still in our memory when Ms. Sonia Gandhi had stepped into the hut of a poor woman in Orissa and talked with her as a family and news papers preferably published their photographs. Similarly, Rahul Gandhi enjoys sitting among poor kids and chitchat with them and even sometimes does not hesitate to stay at night with villagers. Actually, we need young people with missionary zeal coming ahead today if we desire to make India a more progressive nation and Rahul has the ability to pull the youths toward congress. If we hear his speeches, we can say even he is someway better than Indira Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru. The problem with Nehru was that he lost in rambling before coming to the point but Rahul knows where to pause and where to emphasize to rein the pulse of public. He might be a wonder leader, let aside the question of sycophancy for the time being, if the nation thinks a young prime minister for the country, he is the best choice and much better than Priyanka in present circumstances. In a parliamentary system like India, a party which wins enough seats is able to form the government by selecting its leader as prime minister. As long as congress is in power and a Gandhi is available and moreover, willing to lead the nation, none can stop him from deciding the destiny of nation. Congress has cultivated a custom of not giving the top post to an outsider. So, none in the congress might think of becoming the prime minister except for Rahul or his sister Priyanka but the congress before projecting them should reinvent its base. I personally favour Rahul Gandhi because he is someway better than others in the party. Actually, he comes in the category of Pt. JN Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri; both were unique leaders of calibre and acumen. Mrs. Indira Gandhi promoted the culture of sycophancy in the party. She has the coterie of ‘yes’ men. Sonia Gandhi too tagged on the tradition and she is now super PM with no accountability. And, Priyanka, only because of the offspring of Gandhi family too expect congressmen to stand up when she is around. Sycophancy flourished rapidly in congress circle but Rahul is different. He neither believes in sycophancy nor expects seniors to stand up at his arrival. Even he denied accepting his inclusion in the ministry. He also suggested her mother to take some rest. Some say that Priyanka is more charismatic and commanding than Rahul because of her style like her grandmother Indira Gandhi but Sonia Gandhi might prefer Rahul than Priyanka. There are also certain reasons behind it. First, Rahul is unmarried and will owe his sole allegiance to mother while Priyanka due to married with Vadra might be unable to follow the mother’s guidelines. Moreover, both Ambika Soni and Arjun Singh groups (both groups are strong) can’t see eye to eye on different issues. Sonia Gandhi knows that the both groups might not able to work together if Priyanka enters the fray first. For Rahul, they might be able work together. Moreover, the charming quality of Rahul baba like his father Rajeev Gandhi whose political career is a clean slate, must give India a new vision and advancement in technology.
(Ashwini Ahuja is an independent columnist and a fiction writer contributing to about a dozen publications)