PM Modi in Varanasi: Priyanka Gandhi conspicuous by absence. Her not contesting against Modi in Varanasi shows Congress is not serious
February in Uttar Pradesh is fairly pleasant. But being outside in the sun during the day could be a tad unpleasant.
Lucknow, the capital of UP, is dusty and polluted, except when it rains. Still, without a care for the heat and dust, thousands of Congress workers and supporters poured out on the streets of the city as a 15-km road show was undertaken on February 11 by party president Rahul Gandhi — and general secretary in-charge of eastern UP, Priyanka Gandhi, along with general secretary in-charge western UP, Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Congress cadres had been waiting in UP to welcome Priyanka ever since the party announced her formal entry into politics on January 23. The road show was seen as the announcement of Congress-rising-from-the-ashes moment in UP.
But the Pulwama attack proved a roadblock for more such road shows.
The Congress comfortably slipped back into its coma. By the time the party found its feet, the narrative was back in the BJP’s grip — with huge parts of north India rooting for muscular nationalism and decisive leadership.
Many suggested that an effective way to help the Congress not just get back in the game but also dictate its terms would be to let Priyanka Gandhi contest elections from an eastern UP seat. This would have revived the nearly defunct cadre in the region. To infuse life in the party, it was suggested Priyanka contest the election straight against Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
Priyanka, on her part, said she would do it if the party asks her to.
She even said “Agar Rahul ji kahenge to main ladungi”.
But all the hoopla built around Priyanka’s entry into politics fizzled out when the party declared Ajai Rai would be taking on PM Modi in Varanasi.
The Congress ‘high command’ couldn’t have done a bigger disservice to its cadres.
Priyanka Gandhi has been campaigning for her family every election season even without a formal position. She could have continued to do so this time too. By going so big about Priyanka’s induction into the party, and then ensuring her role remains confined to asking people to take care of her brother, the Congress has again turned the joke on itself.
Yes, winning against Modi would have been difficult — but contesting against Modi himself, Priyanka would have ensured she is taken seriously as a leader and not as a seasonal election campaigner for her mother and brother.
The decision also again reflects Rahul Gandhi’s inability to take tough decisions.
The worst that could have happened with Priyanka contesting against Modi is that she would have lost. But even that loss would have conveyed the Congress is serious about UP. It would have helped the cadre reach people door to door, the way BJP cadres do.
No matter how strong an ideological commitment one has, nobody wants to be on the losing side. Worst, nobody wants to be on the side of a party that withdraws from a serious fight by making the battle symbolic. Ajai Rai’s nomination shows that in the actual political arena, the Congress doesn’t have one single heavyweight even to take on Modi’s might.
The challenge of a presidential debate between Rahul Gandhi and Modi thus appears loaded with naivety.
Elections are not won in TV studios. They are won in the electoral field.
But to win, you must fight.
Also read: Why I think #MainBhiChowkidar is not a political campaign. 'I am Congress' was