Not too long ago, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his willingness to "work" under Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. A few days later, the Indian premier gave the impression that he took serious note of the objection raised by Rahul in public against an ordinance that allowed convicted legislators to contest elections. The Union Cabinet had earlier approved the ordinance overturning a Supreme Court decision that disqualified convicted legislators who faced a jail term of more than two years and prevented them from contesting elections. Soon after Rahul's outburst against the ordinance, the Union Cabinet decided to withdraw it. Fairly satisfied over his "success," Rahul recently said in public that he regarded Prime Minister Singh as his "guru." There are two gurus in his life, one is his mother, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the other is Prime Minister Singh.
Irrespective of how serious Rahul is in saying that he learned a lot from his gurus, the timing of his statement carries some significance.
The purpose of his statement is probably to try and make amends for having earlier criticized the ordinance bluntly. As a legislator Rahul has the right to express his views on such issues in public.
Yet, the nature of his criticism and its impact showed the level of Rahul's political clout.
Politically, Rahul made a mistake in giving little importance to the fact that his party, the Congress, heads the present coalition (United Progressive Alliance) government. His public outcry against the ordinance was equivalent to his displaying a negative attitude against his own party.
He could have expressed his objection to the ordinance in a milder and dignified manner. Politically, it would have been more appropriate for him to say in public that he had reservations about the ordinance and would request the Union Cabinet to reconsider it. The Cabinet would have withdrawn the ordinance on his request.
But by criticizing it, Rahul has shown disrespect toward his own party and the central government led by it.
This issue might not have become so serious had Rahul not been the vice president of the party. As a senior leader of the party, he was expected to display greater responsibility. But in expressing anger against his own party he has exposed its "weakness." The government led by Congress, "erred" in earlier approving the ordinance and then withdrawing it.
It is indeed paradoxical that Rahul apparently gave little importance to the fact that his current political stature is only due to his party. The party has put him on the political stage as its important national leader. As a Congress member and party leader, it was not appropriate for him to express his outrage in public against his own party's decision.
Credit must be given to Sonia Gandhi who did not waste time in expressing her view against Rahul's statement.
She behaved as a Congress leader and UPA chairperson by discarding Rahul's criticism. She gave greater importance to her political stature as a leader than to her being Rahul's mother. She could have, if so willed, ignored Rahul's outburst. But she did not do so.
Had she remained silent and refrained from criticizing Rahul, Sonia would not have stood out as a strong party leader. By one statement she has succeeded in silencing numerous critics who would have probably raised several questions about her stand over Rahul's public outburst.
No other Congress leader could have spoken against the ordinance in the manner Rahul did. Prime Minister Singh is known to be a quiet person and Sonia also prefers using as few words as possible in public. Of course, every Congress member is not famous for speaking little. Nevertheless, others have never spoken against Congress-led government's decision. And this raises the question, has Rahul misused his political stature by displaying his anger against the ordinance? He seems to have.
The realization that he made a mistake prompted Rahul to say in public that he viewed Prime Minister Singh as his "guru."
He may not commit the same mistake again. But whether he will care in future and tread cautiously while giving his opinion over important issues is to be seen.
Rahul has weakened his standing as a Congress leader by making the statement. At present, when speculations are rife about Rahul heading the next government if Congress returns to power, his outburst against the ordinance has prompted critics to deliberate on his leadership qualities. The question doing the round is will Rahul prove to be a strong Congress leader?
• Nilofar Suhrawardy is an Indian freelance journalist who writes for national newspapers.
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