Rahul must lead from the front

It would appear that the writing is already on the wall as far as the Congress’s fortunes in the upcoming general elections in India are concerned — total devastation is predicted.

If outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the accidental politician, then Rahul Gandhi, scion of the Gandhi dynasty, is the accidental prime ministerial candidate.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) session, which took place on Friday, reflected the signs of a party in crisis not just from within, but also as a choice with the Indian voter.

It is clear that the Congress has been rattled by Narendra Modi’s tactic of taking the battle to the ruling party and particularly to the Gandhis, who are shying away from a direct confrontation with the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, whose secular credentials are tainted.

Hence the strategy of announcing that Rahul would lead the election campaign but would not be the party’s prime ministerial candidate. He would obviously become the prime minister if the Congress wins, but that’s a long shot and they know it. The Congress is hedging its bets and wants to spare Rahul the embarrassment.

The first four years of good governance were wasted by arrogance, a failing economy, corruption scandals, a confrontational opposition, the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the absence of a good leader who can take up the sword and rally the supporters and cadres at the grass roots.

The fact that precious funds are being spent on giving Rahul an image makeover shows that the party is not convinced about the strength of his convictions.

Many senior and talented politicians in the Congress have worked hard for it. Rahul seems to have had it handed on a plate. He must now be strong enough to show the will for a fight or have the grace to back out and let someone more accomplished take the reins. Opting for the latter choice, however, would mean that the era of the Gandhis would be over.