Faithful's clamour finds fulfilment at Jaipur
As slogans rent the air and fireworks lit up the chilly night sky above the B.M. Birla Science and Technology Auditorium in Jaipur, the Congress announced that the party’s yuvraj, Rahul Gandhi, had just been appointed vice-president, and formally “elevated to the number two” position in the party, after his mother and party president Sonia Gandhi, a year and half ahead of the general elections.
Mr. Gandhi’s appointment, which came more than a year after the clamour for his elevation began within the party, was endorsed by the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision-making body, which met here on Saturday evening to approve the draft Jaipur declaration that has emerged from a two-day chintan shivir intended to create an agenda for 2014.
Announcing his appointment, Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said Defence Minister A.K. Antony proposed Mr. Gandhi’s name for vice-president to address the long-standing aspirations of Congress leaders and workers across the country. Ms. Gandhi then approved the proposal and Mr. Gandhi accepted the position amid thumping of desks.
Top party sources told The Hindu that the announcement had been in the works as State units had been asked to print congratulatory posters of Rahul Gandhi in advance. A hoarding in Jaipur provided a glimpse, as its catch line read: Ham sab ka abhimaan ho, tum yuva shakti ka shaan ho (You are our pride, the glory of youth power.) Mr. Gandhi’s appointment, which has clearly brought joy to the youth brigade in the party — which represents more than half the delegates at the chintan shivir — will in the days to come trigger two areas of speculation: will he be the party’s prime ministerial candidate for 2014? And what will this elevation mean for Ms. Gandhi’s position?
At the ongoing Congress conference — as at virtually every gathering of the party since the plenary in Hyderabad in 2006 — there was a crescendo of voices demanding that Mr. Gandhi be given a larger role and greater responsibilities. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla set the ball rolling on Saturday afternoon by saying that the CWC was likely to take a call on the issue. Another MoS, Jyotiraditya Scindia, was not far behind: “He [Rahul] represents the demographic dividend. We want him to lead in 2014 but he has to take the final call.” Mumbai MP Sanjay Nirupam was less circumspect: “It has almost been announced that the Congress is going to fight the 2014 elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. He is our candidate for the post of prime minister.” And when MoS Shashi Tharoor said, “We would be in very capable hands if Rahul Gandhi takes over,” Milind Deora, Deepa Dasmunsi and Ambika Soni seconded him. And in the political challenges group, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde sang paeans to his youthful leader even as MPs Raj Babbar and Avtar Singh Badana on Friday suggested that Mr. Gandhi be projected as the party’s candidate for PM.
Saturday’s decision represents an incremental upgrade in Mr. Gandhi’s status — on November 14 last year, Mr. Gandhi was asked to head a high-power five-man Election Co-ordination Committee to “oversee all party activities related to the next elections.” This committee, along with three sub-groups — on pre-poll alliances, the manifesto and government programmes, and communications and publicity, was constituted by Ms. Gandhi following the announcement she made on November 9 at the Samvad Baithak at Surajkund. “With a year and half left for the Lok Sabha elections,” Ms. Gandhi said on that occasion, “both party and government will have to work cohesively together to ensure that we secure a renewed mandate.”
Keywords: Chintan Shivir, Rahul Gandhi, Congress committee meeting, brainstorming session, vice-president
Fantatistic. Dynasty continues: Motilal, Jaharlal, India, Rajib, Sonia and now Rahul. Why Congress does no practise democracy in the party hierarchy.
Why is it that Indian media has rarely criticized dynastic succession as the route to the top
position in political parties and in Central and State governments? Doesn't such succession
by individuals without adequate knowledge and political and administrative experience
tantamount to making a mockery of democracy?
Well! At federal government, Congress had long back established
Hereditary Democracy. So it is nothing new. Tamil Nadu's DMK is
following suit. In Odisha it already exists. In Karnataka Kumaraswamy
Gowda donned the crown. In Andhra it is family rule. There may be
several others for which i have no ready knowledge. But whatever it
may, the continuance of single party at power, election after election
or repeated election of MLA's and MP's are not for the betterment of
democracy. While we progress economically it is absolutely vital that
our governing system also gets refined. At present, whether we accept
or not, "might is right only prevails". When it becomes "right is
might" that day only India can be referred as a democracy.
India has shown no respect for merit. It is always the accident of birth; privilege comes with birth to some and some carry the curse all their lives. It was indeed a show watching television pictures showing ministers queuing up to pay
their respects, to Rahul Gandhi, with plastic covered bouquets along with genuflection and sycophancy filled body language; it appeared so much like Michael Corleone's receiving his well wishers after his crowning.
The new assingmnet in the light of coming general election ,is a great
test and we hope that he will deliver many more promises for the
benefit of common mortals who are below poverty line hardly get a meal
a day ,almost destitute. There is no sense in bringing in industrial
growth and other coveted achievements,with out caring a major
population living in utter poverty with out any shelter . All these
years several welfare schemes for several crores were implemented. But
they did not get any benifit .Others who are powerful with the backing
of politicians exploited them and they amassed wealth playing dirty
politics. This middlemen and other corrupt elements must be put behind
bars for ever.We expect strong effective measures for oveall
growth,eradication of poverty and unemployment from the new team of
Congress. The majority of voters who are young are fed up with
corruption and they want an effective government to delver. There is
no short cut to success.Best wishes to Rahul .
It never ceases to amaze me, that 60 years of democracy have only produced a sickening culture of sychophancy in India. Educated, cultured persons holding positions of grave responsibility grovelling pathetically and falling over each other to pay homage to someone whose elevation to high office was due to an act of nepotism.
Et tu, Hindu! I only hope that your calling him a "prince" was an error of omission and not a deliberate ode to the somewhat sycophantic appellation the man bears. It is somewhat sickening that the Congress continues to foster scions of the Nehru/Gandhi dynasty as its leadership - and worse, that India deserves no better.
It is a down day for the Indian democracy that suffered the assault again of nepotism. Such
despotic structure of a party is incongruous with the pillars of democratic principles and a
young democracy such as India cannot allow tainted practices of this nature be executed by
a major party in office. It is now a case of 'buyers beware' ! People have to decide, if they want a virtual or an actual democracy that can offer honest, inclusive progressive policies for the development of the nation where people can live safely with necessary amenities and with a sense of pride. Time for all pretenders to be relieved of their ill-gotten power and appoint people of vision and a passion for the country! Every vote counts!
The INC seems to have taken a right decision by promoting an young and energetic Rahul to the position of the vice president of the party. The nation has great hopes on this young leader to take it to new heights in the coming years. The immediate task for the party is to make plans and policies for the 2014 general elections. Clearly there is an advantage for congress party when compared to the other political parties in our nation.
The terms 'Prince' and 'crowned' in the caption and 'Yuvraj' to refer to
Rahul Gandhi show that The Hindu is not left behind those who are happy
that India, which is a 'parliamentary democracy' has been reduced to a
kingdom ruled by a royal clan notwithstanding Indira Gandhi's abolition
of privy purses and her slogan of garibhi hatao. Would it not have been
better caption , that 'Rahul Gandhi made the vice- president of the
Congress Party, and 'yuvraj' avoided in the news to be in tune with the
times?
Rahul is the only hope for the grand old party of India to survive the recent trends in politics. Congress does not have many charismatic leaders and Nehru - Gandhi family plays a unifying role. No other leader is capable enough nor acceptable to all.
All said and done, though Rahul has every right to become the leader of any party, it is this culture that exposes the weakness of our democracy. There are two classes in India - the Ruling class and the Ruled. It is not only in the Congress party but this culture pervades all parties except few.
The fate of our country will be decided by people who have no capability to govern. Unless the electorate decide what is good for the country and vote accordingly the future of India is at stake. This is not democracy....monarchy in disguise. Corruption scandals are the order of the day. People who have made money in unscrupulous ways will rule the roost. Law abiding citizens and the poor will get a raw deal.
The poor man in this country wandering for food and education for his child but these elite political leaders celebrating small things in outlandish manner. Yesterday the way congress party was celebrated the Mr. Rahual Gandhi elevation was absolutely ridiculous.
This country has produced best leaders in the world but it's very unfortunate that we are still stick-in-the-mud.
Yes, Youth is the power for the change. Youth is the strength which leading & molding the world.Youth is the clout paving the way for connecting the continents & cultures. Youth is the supremacy energizes the mass to exhort/exhume the synergy. Youth is the control tower who spreads & strides the knowledge. Youth is the influence tends & tracks the youth. Youth is the command which break & makes.
We the citizens of the great Nation expects the proclaimed "Yuvaraj" will transform the party first then lead the nation in to "Dharmaraj" with an end of "evil & devil Raj". With the best wishes for a "BETTER RAJ" for the betterment of the citizen's.
Dear Br. Rahul this time for you "to make the history or break the history". Be careful not to "spoil the history". Good luck.
For healthy democracy we want cadre based political parties who can
create and cultivate the leaders. What can be expected from parties in
democracy when there is no inner democracy in the so called parties.
Only sycophants get elevated in Indian democracy. Dynastic politics
become curse for Indian democracy.
Rahulji,
Congrats. Wish you'll uplift the party and do good things to the nation.
Indian politicians are in the habit of saluting the rising 'son' for their own vested interests .
The "Yuvraj" in the headline is not in keeping with The Hindu standards
of reporting. The reporter would do well to be reminded that
editorializing is best limited to the Opinions page. Is this the best a
newspaper of The Hindu's stature can do for a headline? Or was this a
Sunday slip-up by the editorial staff?
This does not augur well for the country. The dynastic rule should be broken. The travails of India begins here.
Praksh Karat is right exposing the character of congress party. Rahul Gandhi was not seen anywhere near the protest rally organised against corruption and Delhi rape .He was seen vocal against Annas Lokapal Bill.He was not seen anywhere to protest government FDI policy.Not seen anywhere to protest high price rise of fuel and grains.Higher education has become very costly.What was his policy of 2G Scam,Coal gate,Nuclear deal,land grabbing policy,raping of women in capital city Delhi .He himself involved with stashing black money.Dooms days are ahead for India if he become chosen as prime minister
Good luck to Rahul. Hope he will focus on the country's needs and take pragmatic decisions to elevate poverty & corruption, improve education & healthcare, enhance Agriculture & domestic businesss,,,
Miles to go before we sleep!
It is all fitting in nicely for the Raj rule again.
Akilesh after Mulayam,Stalin after Karunandhi and now Rahul after Mrs.Gandhi.
Long Live Democracy !!
Rahul's elevation to the VP's post in the Congress is a clear indication that dynastic politics is here to stay. Rahul has worked hard no doubt for the party but so far all his election campaigns have failed to elicit much response from the electorate as the results of the assembly polls in several states reveal.If Rahul is able to make an impact on the youth who make up more than half of the electorate in the country, the Congress will be able to make a lot of headway. But then that is indeed a tall order.
The Grand Old Party realises its vital role at the crucial time
and takes the most apt decision!A youthful nation had been
dominated by an"oligarchy of geriatic-non-retirees" for more than
three decades!
The youth of the nation was fed on misinterpretation of facts of history and contemporary realities!Their energies got diverted to glorify the past and serve their personal agendas and NOT to carve a bright future of their own and that of the nation!How long could the paradox of "nimble youth"be controlled by "lame age"?A youthful leader with forward outlook was the need of the
hour!The party serving the cause of the nation for more than a
century 'felt' it and acted rightly!
The dream of the Maker of Modern India was that India should be the vanguard of the nations to meet their"tryst with destiny"! Perhaps that would become true on the fiftieth year after his demise-2014!
the right choice for the country
A victory for those supporting dyanstic politics.
A right decision at the right time which was long over due. It is now
necessary to elevate Mrs.Priyanka Gandhi also to the top of the helm if
Congress has to regroup its synergies to fight the Lok Sabha elections.
Priyanka will command more popular votes than Ms.Gandhi or Rahul.
An autocratic party ruling a democratic country!? The grassroots of democracy begins in the democratic structural nature of the parties participating in the process of democratic elections. A major party of the country seems to think it in terms of a family business where the next generation gets anointed! It is a tragedy and a travesty of the democracy! While the intelligent people may be aware and may even object vehemently to such perversions, it is the ordinary uninformed who vote and put the Government in office with all the negatives that follow. It is a pity the biggest democracy on the planet functions with such a grievous fault line!
It's unfortunate, we don't have democracy in such an old institution -
Congress. So many people have fought for India's independence, only so
that one family can keep ruing the country? Is this for what people like
Bhagat Singh died?
I am sure Rahul Gandhi is a charismatic and able candidate, but are there not so many senior party members in the Congress, who have served for decades? For India to become a mature country like the U.S., we have to rise above these factors. Take people like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, relatively unknown lawyers, take Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer from Georgia, that is the culture we should strive for. Leaders are made, not inherited.
It is our constant enthusiasm to use the terms dynasty, successor,
prince, ruler etc that drives us into meekly surrendering to the bunch
of unscrupulous goons and accept whatever they do as something we have
to bear. It is high time responsible media starts using the proper
terminology in addressing politicians. They are peoples
representatives doing a job given to them by the public and not rulers
born into a dynasty to rule the public. Using proper terminology
might make the public conscious of the fact that they are the
employers and politicians are accountable to them.
Congress is projecting rahul gandhi as pm by asking him to lead the 2014 general elections campaign despite he failing to put up average performance for congress in UP, Bihar elections.This shows the dynastic nature of congress party which is not good for a democractic country.
Its a shame that family name and not competency matters in Indian
politics. its time to declare that we are a monarchy and not a republic.
All the best to congress in 2014
To maintain a true democracy in India, it would be wise if the Nehru/Indira family team steps down. The new generation needs a more capable and deedicated leader to meet the challages towards progress.
On expected lines!!typical and expected behavior of these shameless congres netas, who have made it their habit to promote sycophancy,chamcha giri, I appeal to all these so called congress leaders to also book the PM post for this lineage for the next 50 years now itself through proclamations!! sad no congressman has the guts or the personality to over throw this culture !! Rahul let us see what you have in store for us , good luck to you anyway!!
Nothing new.. just like change of CEO in Corporate organisation owned by
Tata, Mithal, Birla, Ambani famlies..
Everyone knows, Congress is India but democracy was imprisoned in
Congress by Indira Gandhi when When V. V. Giri nominated by her as
presidential candidate defeated the Party Candidate N. Sanjeev Reddy.
Congratulations to Mr Rahul Gandhi on becoming the Vice-President of Indian National Congress party. We all hope he will definitely outshine in his given responsibilities and we are all happy to see him as our Prime Minister too, because he is the only young leader in India who is immaculate, without any criminal history. More powers to you Rahul.
Thus ruled the Dynasty!!!! A party that has no 'cadre' to speak of, a
party that has only sycophants and not one opinion-leader, can only be
trusted to come out with such a decision. What has Rahul Gandhi done in
these 9 years that he has been active in public life? ZILCH. Yet he is
rewarded with a promotion!! I dread the day this chap will move on to
be the PM of this country!!! Some of my friends tell me it cant be
worse than Manmohan Singh, but I am not sure that we have seen the worst
yet from Congress. May be Rahul will complete that gap.
Everyone knows that Rahul Gandhi is the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family.But that alone will not, in a rational sense,qualify him to become the Prime Minister of our country. Will anyone tell sceptics like the writer of this comment how this gentleman is seen by the Congress party as primeministerial material?
India is a constitutional monarchy, it just elects its dictators, queens , kings and
princes. What a tragic destiny.
"Chintan Shivir" is for empowering and pampering congress itself. Not
for empowering India. Good, congress. You can do anything and
everything very honestly and dutifully to retain the power. Only
power, that's all you want. The power to loot the nation. The power to
bankrupt the nation. India is not your maid, so that you can exploit as you like, congress. Think truly, honestly and do chintan shivir explicitly for rooting out corruption, for bringing real changes in the lives of people, by
implementing practical solutions for economical and social problems.
Congress 2.0 version will prove to be disastrous for the party as well
as Indian polity.Fortunately for the nation,that will end the role
played by the members of the nehru family in Indian politics
The grooming of Rahul Gandhi as the the Vice President of the Congress is endorsed by Sonia Gandhi, the head of the Congress party, by a handshake with her son! Is India developing a cult of heriditory rulers, as it is in Syria and North Korea, while claiming the biggest democracy in the world? Anyway, India is not considered as a desirable democracy by the rest of the world and its own citizens. Anointing of the hereditory leaders from a political dynasty is not democratic, however these leaders are elected, chosen or anointed. Even after the independence, India is following the dynastic rule of the British monarchy, directly or indirectly. After all, the English are the forerunners of all democracies in the world and India is following its former masters.
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