The U.S. Congressional report says it might just turn out to be a direct contest between the controversial Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader, Narendra Modi, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for prime ministership in the 2014 elections. However, it does not clearly state it would be a Modi vs Gandhi affair.
“The 2009 polls may have represented a coming out party of sorts for the younger Gandhi, who many expect to be put forward as Congress' prime ministerial candidate in scheduled 2014 elections,” said the report. “Yet this heir-apparent remains dogged by questions about his abilities to lead the party, given a mixed record as an election strategist, uneasy style in public appearances, and reputation for gaffes,” the Congressional Research Service said.
UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi is seen to wield considerable influence over the coalition's policy-making process, it said.
“Her foreign origins have presented an obstacle and likely was a major factor in her surprising 2004 decision to decline the prime ministership,” the report said, adding that Mr. Rahul Gandhi is widely seen as the most likely heir to the Congress leadership.
“At present, the BJP president is Nitin Gadkari, a former Maharashtrian official known for his avid support of privatisation. Although still in some disorder in 2011, there are signs that the BJP has made changes necessary to be a formidable challenger .”
Keywords: Congressional Research Service, Narendar Modi, Rahul Gandhi
The sole two choices available show the paucity of able and apt candidates in India. One the one side, someone with impeccable efficiency and "prone to progress" but reportedly with some hardline sentiments On the other hand, an immature political dilettante with little credibility or achievements.
We have to run from pillar to post in the search for an apt presidential candidate - is this what the Bhagat Singhs and Gandhijis sacrificed their own lives for?
The so-called protectors of democracy (read as Ministers in the cabinet) promote dynastic rule by projecting Rahul Gandhi as future PM of the world's biggest democracy. His reputation for gaffes is not surprising because he was projected as someone he was not to be. The media too has to take some of the blame for showing too much of a respect to the Gandhi family.
We must understand that US people want our multiparty Democracy to be converted into two parties Democracy like them. Two parties Democracy is easy to handle by Capitalist Corporate world. Therefore, they are trying their best to project Congress and BJP. Both the parties are corporate controlled parties working for the benefits of Upper Castes. Further, in US there is a Presidential system where two individuals are projected as Presidential candidates. Therefore they are suggesting making two persons mentioned above as the Prime Ministerial candidates in next election. However, hero-worship is detrimental to democratic country like India where more than 6000 castes people live.Till date intermarriages among these castes is religiously banned (not constitutionally) making it most heterogeneous society. Therefore,We should be vigilant of any media campaign by corporate houses controlled parties i.e. US propagated, ignoring smaller parties who represent all sections of the Indian society.
Let the people who are opposed to Nehru-Gandhi Dynasty come forward with the name of a single family which has sacrificed the lives of so many members of their family for this country.The one and only issue on which the crores of Congressmen across the length and breadth of this country think alike and have consensus is in chosing their Leader. In a democratic country it is their prerogative and no one could force them what they should or should not do.Indian Democracy has proved time and again that the politically conscious people exercise their francise without any fear or favour.The defeat of the the Prime Minister Smt.Indhira Gandhi and other leaders viz,S/S.K.Kamaraj,C.N.Annadura iand A.B.Vajpayee will bear testimony to this.It is for the people to elect their Govt.The question of Dynasty does not arise.Congress alone could keep India together and Nehru Family alone could keep the Congressmen united.It will be impossible to defeat the Dynasty of Congressmen by Communal Forces.
Milosevic was popular amonsgt Serbian voters, the majority in the former federation of Yugoslavia. No one from BJP could aspire to reach that level of popularity amongst Hindu voters in India. Milosevic was elected only to bring Yugoslavia to economic ruin by pursuing an ethnic cleansing policy. There was an international outcry over human rights violations and there was little opposition at the United Nations for a bombing campaign against Serbia. The federal state disintegrated and the Serbians went cap in hand to the EU for aid in return for which they would hand over to the internatioal criminal court formerly popular leaders who had bought the country to economic ruin. There is a lesson in this story for the supporters of the extremist wing of BJP in India.
The two people being discussed for Prime Ministerial post are quite different. On one side we have a matured and rigid Hindu-hardcore CM who is not hesitant to display his hatred towards some specific communities. On the other side we have a comparatively new but young & flexible Gandhi, who can mature as representative of young minds of India without any borders of caste and creed. In my opinion Mr. Rahul Gandhi must be a better choice to reduce hatred and improve brotherhood among all Indians without any discrimination.
Recent Hindu headlines enforced the concept of *people's democracy* vs. establishment gerontology. The real question is when will Indian gerontology consider a +45 year old acceptable for PM. Look back from Nehru until now, they're all old men with the wisdom of procastinators more than anything else when its comes to serious political decision-making. None is prepard to challenge the established order of the (class or caste) rituals when chossing its leaders. This becomes more than apparent in palces like Hyderabad, former Madras, and Bangalore...(just to mention the south!). Me thinks it is time to nominate candidates with proven educational and political background below 50yrs old.
India a country of many religion,cast and creed with, hundreds of languages and culture.It will be disastrous if a religious fanatic like Narendra Modi happen to lead this great nation.The BJP and its media is projecting him like a hero, but the commen men are not going to fall in their trap.India can be ruled progressivly only by Indian National Congress and by Gandhi family.
Yes, i agree with Mr. NRam,s comments. Sri Narendra Modi has grown to national level and even can contest the PM,s post. At present, not even present incumbent or Advaniji can be able to stand with Mr Modi. I can,t accept Modi,s roll in 2002 act and it may be incidential or grafted. Forget every thing and give him a brave hand for India's future.
After years of freedom and constitutional-economic & social reforms, we are still stuck at a point that no person without any affliation to political dynatical background can ever lead this country.
I am sure even our constitutional fathers would not have welcomed such moves.
From ancient time India governed by dynasty.Though we accepted democracy our psyche did not change.From last sixty only Nehru and Indira Gandhi had given stable Government.Now past seven years under Sonia stable government is there. I know Rahul have many weakness he is immature, no experiences . but we have no alternative.It will take time when people of India adopted norms of democracy.No one can predicate what will happen in 22014.One thing is clear we are till under charm of. dynasty Raja Kalaes Karnam [ king is responsible for good and bad of country ]
Rahul Ghandi commands anything but respect. I saw him on the TV reading from a paper script. He looks OK (a lot better than almost all politicians), no personal charisma, no oratorical skills, has a childish voice. Not PM material, neither is Manmohan Singh. Narendhra Modi was stigmatized after Godhra. His interview on BBC changed my views, he is a true National leader. He can beat Manmohan Singh/ Rahul Gandhi hands down anyday.
Rallying point/keeping the flock together,seems to be the only concern of INC,suffering the "Bollywood/Hollywood syndrome".Since tons of money(white/black) are poured into a film,naturally,the producer likes to take no risk.Hence from the time immemorial they use the,same story for their film.The day the Congressmen realize that leading a nation of over a billion with as many problems,calls for a "MOST SUITABLE CANDIDATE", not a heridatory offspring,will be a red letter day for BHARAT.Not withstanding his alleged role in Gujarat,Nardenra Modi could be a better deliverer?
Any neutral observer will unhesitatingly state that Rahul Gandhi is being projected as the sole prime ministerial candidate from the congress stable, as if there there is no other talented youngster in the party. Only when the congress party comes out of the mindset of perpetuating dynastic rule, the party can survive. If it does not happen it will be a setback to Indian democracy.
Forecast appear to come true as seen from subsequent developments
I am surprised that 1.15 billion people cannot find any one else more suitable than Mr Gandhi to be the prime minister of India. It tells a lot about Indian democracy.
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