Blend of age, experience, merit could revive Cong

many among them have sought to “enhance their value without proving their worth”.

These upcoming apparatchiks have for long been a subject of debate and criticism within the party. They’re often in disagreement with the seasoned players who, too, have been short on giving them room to groom. The dichotomy caused the party problems in Karnataka and Rajasthan at tremendous political cost. As much attributed to their inclination to play favourites are the nascent rebellions in Punjab and Chattisgarh.

Till DK Shivakumar took over as the state party chief, it was difficult to discern as to who was the real PCC president, said a Bengaluru-based leader. Many veterans and their protégés have found themselves marked, marginalised or unwanted in the prevailing flux. The process has worked as much in the reverse.

Can the hiatus be bridged within the span of the six months for which Sonia Gandhi has agreed to continue? The jury’s still out on that. The purpose with which she joined active politics in 1997-98 was to prevent the Congress’s disintegration under Sitaram Kesri. She cannot possibly let that objective unravel at this stage of her innings.

A template that can help her address the diarchy was set by her husband Rajiv Gandhi, who forged a working relationship with leaders who owed their rise to his brother Sanjay. “It’s one piece of history from which all can learn,” said a CWC member.

The letter-writers perhaps clumsily phrased a paragraph that came across as a farewell to the Gandhi family while mooting the idea of a collective leadership. The truth is that one cannot be at the expense of the other. There has to be opportunity for merit and regard for experience.

In fact, many Congress men who dissociated themselves from the letter aren’t supportive of the work style of the “second line” aligned with Rahul. “Their behaviour leaves a lot to be desired,” bemoaned a senior leader. He was hopeful nevertheless of the ongoing debate having a sobering influence on those pushing boundaries and punching above their weight.