The absence of intra-party democracy adversely affects the constitutional rights of every citizen. It hinders equal political opportunity for all citizens. Additionally, absence of internal democracy within political parties leads to factionalism and authoritarianism which side-lines strong and capable regional leaders. Apparently, the grand old party, Congress, has seen a complete erosion in these necessary traits of internal party democracy. With the election for its Party President, it seems that Congress party wants an image makeover and regains its lost connection within voters and general masses.
Congress to get a non-Gandhi President after 24 years
On 17th of October, the Congress party concluded the election process for its party President. Around 9,000 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates were eligible to cast their vote in the election.
It is after a long gap of 24 years that the grand old party will elect or “select” a non-Gandhi person at the helm of party affairs. The party delegates casted their mandate to elect Congress’ next chief between Former UPA ministers Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor. The results of the internal party elections will be declared on October 19.
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But, there is a high possibility that Mallikarjun Kharge, the blue-eyed man of the Gandhi family will clinch victory. However, in that case it will defeat the sole purpose of holding such an election. As earlier, Kharge had claimed that if elected, he will keep seeking advice from the Gandhi family.
Congress’ top leadership biased against Shashi Tharoor
Earlier, both the candidates, Kharge and Shashi Tharoor campaigned among the PCC delegates. The party had also formed an election authority to give legitimacy to its farce of an election. The election authority was headed by Madhusudhan Mistry. He had informed that the election for the Party chief would be carried out through a secret ballot. He also refuted the claims of favouritism among the candidates and tried to ensure that a level playing field had been provided to both the candidates.
He said, “No one will know who voted for whom or how many votes were cast in a particular state”.
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However, his remarks had no takers within or outside the party. Several political experts, observers and even Congress’ own leaders repeatedly called out the farce of the so-called free and fair election for the post of Congress President. But the accusations escalated to new highs, mulling egg on the face of Congress when Shashi Tharoor himself raised these concerns and accusations of bias.
He alleged that party leaders and cadres had different attitudes towards both the candidates. Further, he pointed out the bias of top leadership. He raised the issue that several PCC officials were present at the nomination of Mallikarjun Kharge while they completely distanced themselves from his candidature.
He stated that “I am not blaming Mistry Sahib, but there are flaws in the system and elections were not held for 22 years.”
#WATCH | On his "uneven playing field" remark, Congress pres candidate Shashi Tharoor says, "…In several PCCs, leaders welcomed&met Kharge Sahab. Wasn't done for me. I visited PCCs but PCC chiefs weren't available. Not complaining, but do you not see a difference in treatment?" pic.twitter.com/sNJMVEo0Nh
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2022
Tharoor categorically highlighted that it is the top leadership of Congress that is biased against him.
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He said, “When I talk about the level playing field, it is not for Mistry Ji but for the big leaders of the party. You see, I am doing the same thing at DPCC (district Pradesh Congress Committee). If big leaders are differentiating between two candidates, then how right is this?”
He also added that the party workers should not be afraid and vote for him as had been said by its top leader Rahul Gandhi.
Why Shashi Tharoor had no chance of becoming Congress President?
There are multiple reasons why the Congress high command led by the Gandhi family will never allow capable leaders like Shashi Tharoor to get hold over command structure of the party.
Firstly, Congress has become a party of the unelected yes-men. Its top leadership, including the Gandhi family, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ajay Makhan, Mukul Vasnik, KC Venugopal or Randeep Surjewala, all of them don’t command support on the ground. These leaders have been managing to cling on to power purely on the basis of quid pro quo and status quo.
Coincidentally, Mallikarjun Kharge checks this box as he lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Gulbarga, Karnataka. Contrary to that, Shashi Tharoor is the MP from Thiruvanantapuram, Kerala. He has a good connect among the voters of his constituency and huge fan following and sway on National politics. Unlike Kharge, if Tharoor gets power within the party, he may take away the command structure of Congress from the Gandhi family and leave them in political peril.
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Even PM Modi had been seeking his support for promoting non-political campaigns like ‘Swachh Bharat’ Abhiyan. Back in 2014, PM Modi had lauded his active participation in the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign. So, his victory will be a loss of political style of Gandhis that have been politicising even the non-political events like the Swachh Bharat campaign.
Second, Tharoor has been on different pages altogether from the Congress party on several issues. These differences with Congress widen on issues concerning sovereignty, national security and international relations. Being an ex-diplomat, he understands the nuances of diplomacy and red lines of politics that if crossed can harm national interest.
On this parameter as well, Shashi Tharoor doesn’t fit the bill for the Gandhi family. As Congress has been relentlessly pushing the Modi government to give a ball-by-ball public update of ongoing conflict with China. This may completely stop or such discussions may be held behind close doors if Shashi Tharoor becomes the head of INC.
Third, Tharoor has been a vocal critic of Congress’ strategy to personally target PM Narendra Modi. He had to face backlash from his own party leaders for arguing the fact that “demonising Modi all the time” was not an effective strategy. Further, he has been hailed as a strong political observer who understands the effectiveness of deliberations and discussions. Unlike other leaders of his party, he commands greater respect with other party leaders. That is yet another blow to the Gandhi family style of politics which has been indulging in arguing for black and white style of politics.
Fourth, he has been of the opinion that Congress has to go through drastic reforms in order to create a positive image among the voters. In his manifesto, he has categorically stated that if elected he will end the “high command culture” within the Congress. This will be a danger sign for the Gandhi family as the status quo suits its cause. It wants to keep enjoying the power and run the National party at their whims and fancies without any accountability.
Tharoor is a vocal supporter of holding western powers to task specially for their sins during the colonial time. He is one of the staunch critics of British Imperialism and gave the famous anti-colonial speech in Oxford, London. This clearly highlights his independent line of thinking which deviates from Congress’ style. Currently, Congress functions more like a Gandhi-centric ideology, that is, Rahulism has become the core ideology and principle of the party.
These reasons clearly indicate that Shashi Tharoor is more than capable to overpower the Gandhi family if elected to power and would not play second fiddle to their wishes. So, brace yourself for the announcement of Mallikarjun Kharge as the next INC Chief. As talented leaders like Shashi Tharoor have only one option before them if they want to break the glass ceiling of Gandhi family, that is, to call it a quit from the party led by incompetent leaders.
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