Congress’ tryst with the selfish gene

The danger is not that Scindia has deserted the party now, but that more loyalists are likely to follow suit. Unless the leadership wakes up and arrests this trend, it could face a 1997-like situation when the current interim president Sonia Gandhi corrected its course.

As for Madhya Pradesh, Scindia and his 22 legislators have plunged Kamal Nath’s government into crisis. The Chief Minister is claiming that those who have gone out are in touch with him and is confident of winning a trust vote. Scindia’s decision to quit took roots 16 months ago after the Congress high command chose Kamal Nath, rejecting Scindia’s claim for the post of CM. When he took a beating in the Lok Sabha polls in 2019, he refused to believe he could face such defeat. He waited for a year, but all in vain. When the Rajya Sabha berth seemed out of his reach, Scindia took matters into his own hands.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi refuted Scindia’s charges, alleging that he was not accessible. “He (Jyotiraditya) was one guy in the Congress who could walk into my house anytime, as he was with me in college,” Rahul commented this week.

The BJP is only too happy to embrace the likes of Scindia. After all, it was his grandmother Vijaya Raje Scindia who was the main patron of the party in the 70s and 80s. Along with his two aunts – Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Yashodhara Raje Scindia – who are already in the party, Jyotiraditya’s joining gives the Scindia clan full representation.

As a strategy, the BJP has been poaching established leaders from other parties –whether it’s Sanjay Singh or Birendra Singh or Himanta Biswa Sarma. As a senior BJP leader claims, in Scindia’s case, it is a double bonanza, as he was also offering the BJP, the government of Madhya Pradesh on a platter, if the Kamal Nath government collapses. Also, it will lead to the crumbling of theCongress’ cookie, not just in MP but also in other states.

Apart from Scindia, there are others who have been demanding a place on the high table. Most of them are loyalists of Rahul Gandhi, while the old guard mostly comprises loyalists of Sonia. Even Rahul was not allowed to have a free hand.

In neighbouring Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot, another close aide of Rahul Gandhi is also having a tough time dealing with his senior and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Sachin also aspired for the CM’s seat 16 months ago. But the party high command chose Ashok Gehlot and made Sachin Deputy CM. Others like Milind Deora and Jitin Prasada in Rahul’s camp might also choose to defect if they find greener pastures.

The party is in a bad shape faced with a leadership crisis. There is no new narrative to counter the BJP propaganda. Second rung leaders have not been developed. Those who are in the party are deserting it like rats fleeing a sinking ship. The number of Congress-ruled states are also shrinking. The party needs to address all these issues urgently and come up with answers.

The Congress can no longer remain in isolation living in past glory. If it does not move in step with the times, it will ultimately vanish. The 135-year-old party might have deep roots. But there soon will be a time when the members will fight for their survival, not waiting for the high command to take up their cause. That day won’t be far if the Congress leadership does not wake up right now.