Former President Pranab Mukherjee was trying to be stoic and politically correct when he said that he was not aggrieved over the nomination of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister (“The Congress has the ability to adapt, adjust and rejuvenate”, Oct. 18). But, to his credit, Mr. Mukherjee served under Dr. Singh effectively and loyally not only as Cabinet Minister but also acted as a consummate trouble-shooter. If he was furious over the timing of the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya, it only showed the measure of his intellect, pragmatism and political acumen. He could have been one of India’s most able and pragmatic Prime Ministers but sadly, it was not to be.
It remains to be seen if the Congress is willing to imbibe his words — “the Congress has that capacity, resilience to change, to adapt, to adjust and also to rejuvenate” — and act accordingly. The most fundamental change the Congress should think of is whether it is capable of looking beyond the Nehru-Gandhi family for leadership. The decks are being cleared for Rahul Gandhi to take over as party president. As long as Congresspersons ‘reserve’ the post of party president for the family, the party has little chance of revitalising and rejuvenating itself.
C.G. Kuriakose,
Kothamangalam, Kerala
Pranab Mukherjee’s perception that the Congress can make a comeback is a remote possibility as of now. The leadership is unable to transform the party to sync with the rising aspirations of the people. Corruption scandals during the party’s rule lowered its credibility and they continue to haunt the party. Multiple defeats in Assembly elections since 2014 have had a huge demoralising effect on its cadre. The resurrection of the Congress looks almost difficult by 2019. The TINA (there is no alternative) factor is already present, much to the advantage of the NDA government. It would be a miracle is the Congress made itself relevant by 2019.
Sadhasiva Reddy,
Bengaluru
The Congress has never thought of itself seriously in the role of an Opposition party. Winning elections was never a problem for it until 2014, and this led to overconfidence bordering on arrogance in its party leaders. The converse was also true — Opposition parties perhaps never imagined that a time would come when the responsibility of governing India would fall on their shoulders. If the Congress takes Mr. Mukherjee’s advice, India could benefit immensely. Political parties have equal responsibility on either side of the dividing line in the legislature to ensure rule of law and uphold the spirit of the Constitution.
M.G. Warrier,
Thiruvananthapuram
