Some are just born great!

It doesn’t come as a surprise when Rahul Gandhi has been formally put into the party’s central committee in recently held All India Congress Committee meeting. But, Rahul Gandhi’s speech definitely creates some ripples among the political observers. This Gandhi- Nehru scion made a fervent speech to promote meritocracy in the party. Listening to a term like meritocracy from the mouth of rahul Gandhi is bit unusual. Because- he himself is projected as the future prime ministerial candidate only due to his inheritance without a proven track record of performance. Can anyone except Gandhi surname ever dream of being prime ministerial candidate from congress party? Of course, there are anomalies when P.V.Narsinghrao in 1991 and Manmohan Singh now, takes the rein of the country. But, P.V.Narasinghrao came to power just after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination as Sonia Gandhi was reluctant to enter into politics, where as in Manmohan Singh’s case Sonia was compelled to step down seeing the political mileage that the saffron party was trying to cash of her foreign origin.
Salman Khursid, the revered Congressman tries to put it in this way in “Cogress Sandesh”, i.e. mouthpiece of Congress party. He tries to make the point by drawing the similarity with the sons and daughters of professionals like doctors, military personnel, film stars who follows the foot print of their parents and enter into the same profession. Does it fair to draw the comparison line in this manner? Does the post of prime minister come under the same fold as of a doctor, military personnel or of a film star? Can India in this 21st century afford to give the prime ministrial post to a person because of his family tree? Salman Khursid hides under the argument that people of India wants to see the Gandhis in the top post. If it’s the case then why Congress party was not able to get any headway in Uttar Pradesh elections despite Rahul Gandhi being the star campaigner. Salman also takes the pain to make a recollection of the fact that some people are just born great and with time they should be given their due. Don’t this argument have a feudalistic flavour? Further speaking, it contrasts the very concept of meritocracy, which is now so passionately preached by Rahul Gandhi.
If Congress feels that young blood should be incorporated into the party, then it’s a noble design. But why congress is finding that face in Rahul Gandhi only? Why can’t a face with genuine political credentials hold the top post? Further, Rahul Gandhi hasn’t shown a spectacular performance as a legislature. He spoke three times and asked two questions in parliament within these four years of his legislative span. He has never participated in any important discussion in the parliament. Indian mass hardly knows about his standpoint about major issues concerning India. Also, his credential as a political visionary is doubtful. Because, Rahul Gandhi, in recent times given statements which shows his political shallowness. In one of the election rally held in U.P., he asserted that if Gandhi family were in power in the center, then the Babri Masjid happenings might n’t be taken place. But, what he forgot to mention is that it’s Rajiv Gandhi who opened the lid of this controversy and Congress was in the center when the demolition happened. How can Rahul Gandhi disown the legacy of his own party, only resorting to Gandhi family’ legacy? Further, when he extolled 1971 war as his family credit, it created a diplomatic row between India, Pakistan and Bangaladesh. After this kind of (irresponsible) remarks, it is clear that he is the leader who is blindly driven by his media managers than his own perception of the things.
Let Congress shows some guts to go beyond the Gandhi family. Congress usually faces the criticism that it’s the party of high command where even “Sarpanch” appointment is referred to the high command in 10 Janpath. Will Congress party be ever able to shed this blot? Time can only unfold that whether Congress party, which led the fight for democracy in India, will able to set its own home right.