Congress Party Banks on Charismatic Leader from India’s Political Dynasty

For years, Priyanka Gandhi has been a figure of intrigue for the Indian public. The most charismatic individual of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that gave India three prime ministers, she has always opted for a supporting role. Despite her commanding personality and sections of Congress considering her “prime ministerial” material, she prioritized her private life with her husband and two children over a leading role in politics.

Now, at 52, Priyanka has decided to step into the limelight. The Congress party recently announced she would stand in a byelection in Wayanad, Kerala, a safe seat previously occupied by her brother Rahul. Although the Election Commission has yet to announce the date, the law requires the election to be held by December. Her victory in the byelection is almost certain, bringing all three members of her family into parliament.

While this will be her debut in electoral politics, Priyanka has been politically active since the late 1990s, initially campaigning for her mother. In 2018, she was appointed as the party’s general secretary in eastern Uttar Pradesh. She made a significant impact during the recent general election, becoming an energetic and passionate campaigner. She drew huge crowds, addressed over 100 rallies, and launched sharp critiques against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a liar and weak.

The announcement of Priyanka standing as an MP has stirred excitement within Congress. Some party members believe she is politically sharper than Rahul and capable of rejuvenating the party, which has been in decline even before Modi’s victory in the 2014 general election. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor noted, “She is one of the most impressive speakers and campaigners we have got, and to have her in the Lok Sabha will be a huge asset to the party.”

Asim Ali, a political researcher, has speculated on how Rahul and Priyanka will coexist. Could there be tensions or even rivalry between them? While there is no question of two rival power centers due to their close relationship, what if Priyanka outshines her brother? What if the media pays more attention to her?

“I think the siblings will divide up their roles, with Priyanka concentrating on strengthening the party organization while Rahul looks after ideology. Her great advantage is that she has no baggage, unlike Rahul who has many failures behind him,” said Ali.

Their closeness stems from tragedies in their early lives: the assassination of their grandmother, Indira Gandhi, in 1984, and their father’s assassination, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1991. Unlike Rahul, Priyanka has shared her emotions about these tragedies. In a 2009 interview with NDTV, she expressed her fury with the world after her father’s death.

In 2008, Priyanka visited Vellore jail to meet Nalini Sriharan, one of her father’s killers. She recounted the meeting in an interview, saying it was her way of coming to peace with the violence and loss she had experienced. Priyanka has always been a steadfast support to Rahul as he struggled to become a credible politician.

After the Congress party’s better-than-expected performance in the recent election, Priyanka stayed in the background, allowing Rahul to enjoy the spotlight. Despite her charisma and popular appeal, some commentators have noted her inability to suffer fools and hints of imperiousness.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has frequently criticized Priyanka and her family for treating the Congress as a private fiefdom. Shehzad Poonawalla, a BJP spokesperson, described the Congress as a “family company.” Political analyst Desh Ratan Nigam believes Priyanka has yet to show consistency. “Whether she can be successful in changing the Congress’s fortunes depends on whether she can revive the grassroots of the party. Personality isn’t enough,” he said.

The BJP is also likely to target Priyanka’s husband, Robert Vadra, at the first opportunity. A businessman with a history of controversial dealings, Vadra is often the subject of BJP criticism. The Congress party will be hoping Vadra remains more circumspect as his wife embarks on her new journey as an MP.

Source: The Guardian