Uncertainty over ticket distribution seems to be haunting the Congress cadres, who seem to be unsure of their high command’s decisions even as the dates of polling for the Parliamentary elections are drawing near. The most surprising delay is in respect of the announcement of seats for both Amethi and Rae Bareli, considered to be family bastions of the Gandhis.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi, had lost to Union Minister Smriti Irani in a fiercely contested election, and this time though he has filed his nomination from Wayanad in Kerala, there is speculation that he might also be in the race from Amethi.
In Rae Bareli, there is a vacancy following the party’s decision to send sitting MP, Sonia Gandhi to the Rajya Sabha. The seat which was once represented by both Indira Gandhi and her husband, Feroze Gandhi is now looking for a new representative.
There has been a talk of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra being given the Congress nomination from there. However, she seems reluctant and so far, has not indicated one way of the other, whether she would be contesting the polls this time. There have been reports that she is disappointed at being sidelined in the party, which is virtually being run by her brother, Rahul and his coterie, with Sonia Gandhi endorsing every decision.
These reports suggest that there are differences in the family and this may impact the elections. In the light of this, there is also demand that the party chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, should be asked to enter the fray from Rae Bareli, and one of the Gandhi siblings should contest from Amethi, to send the right signal to the cadre.
Incidentally, in the past 55 years or so, the late Captain Satish Sharma was the only one outside the family, who contested from both these seats at different times.
Now the expectation is that once Kharge is cleared for the contest, a clear message would go out throughout the country. At a time when the BJP leadership is being accused of drawing a wedge between the North and South, Kharge’s nomination would certainly help in changing the overall narrative.
More so, with Mayawati not as active as her supporters would want her to be, a new Dalit face could emerge in the country’s most populous state which could influence the Scheduled Caste voters throughout the country. Kharge is a very seasoned politician and has conducted himself with grace and restraint. He knows that with the Gandhis around, he would at times have to play second fiddle, but he has performed the task assigned to him very proficiently.
The importance of Rae Bareli and Amethi is that these two constituencies have over the years become synonymous with the Gandhis. And if they keep away from their bastions, the signal would be that they have chickened out and have allowed the BJP to have a walkover. Ideally speaking, with Feroze Varun Gandhi being denied a ticket by the BJP, he could have also been considered for one of the seats.
However, family tussle over Indira Gandhi’s legacy, seems to be the reason why Varun would not be accommodated even though he could be a strong and formidable nominee. Many in the party believe that Sonia Gandhi would not allow his entry. However, the Gandhis have to think through their political prism and at this crucial juncture must give a pragmatic thought to such an eventuality.
Nevertheless, Kharge’s nomination from Rae Bareli could be a game changer and would be apt under the circumstances. The decision is entirely that of the Central leadership, which has been engaged in sorting out internal differences thereby preventing many potential nominees in various states to commence their campaign.
The fear within the Congress is that the BJP has been poaching on its members and once the candidates get declared, there was every possibility that the saffron brigade may try and entice away the chosen ones. This is an extraordinary situation and needs an extraordinary solution. A strong and determined high command can help overcome some of the problems.
There are multiple things that have been on the mind of the Gandhis and the continuous defections have unsettled them. This is where they need to show more confidence and grit in order to enthuse their rank and file. The more delay there is, the chances of the party winning shall recede.
It is evident that the Congress is both the strong and weak link in the electoral battle to deny Narendra Modi the third term. In 90% of the seats which the Congress fights against the BJP one on one, it has been losing in the past two elections. Therefore, if it has to stop the BJP, it has to win, at least a greater number of seats.
The numbers are up in the air, but if the Congress for instance was to get into triple digits, it shall be extremely difficult for the BJP to win comfortably. The only way of doing this would have been to put up a real fight and in order to do so, the selection of candidates becomes very crucial.
The Congress, unlike the BJP, has excessive baggage which needs to be shed for the betterment of the party in future. Many veterans need to lay down their boots after serving the party for many years. This yardstick need not apply to Kharge, who can be an exception for the 2024 battle. Between us.