The dissidents can also claim victory. In their letter to the party chief they wanted a new full time President, convening of the AICC to choose the new president, revival of the Parliamentary board, the highest policy making body of the party, and end of adhocism. They no longer want the de facto leadership of Rahul Gandhi and his coterie and feel that if Rahul does not want to be president he should not be de facto [resident. The family got a jolt from the letter and tried to pacify them with Sonia Gandhi herself saying at the end of the meeting she will not have any ill feelings against the dissidents and adopted a ‘ let us forgive and forget.”

Does this mean that all is well in the party? It is a big NO. The family got the first dose of the dissidents who dared to take on them, that too with three Gandhis sitting in the powerful CWC meeting. It should sober the temperamental Rahul Gandhi who is arrogant and takes his own decisions without discussing with the others about the party line on issues like the Chinese incursions, economy and covid 18. The real problem is no one in the party knows what is the party line because there is no discussion with the result the party rank and file left in the dark about what to say on any issue.

The second thing is Sonia has taken a back seat leaving Rahul to take a suo motto decisions. Rahul’s style of functioning is that he depends on a coterie, which runs rough shod on the senior leaders. The old guard believes that the party has come to this position because of this inexperienced coterie on whom Rahul has faith. There is a power struggle between the old guard and younger leaders who are impatient to make Rahul party president with a free hand. Interestingly, the Team Rahul is quite fragile. Some of his trusted leaders like jyotiraditya Scindia have joined the BJP and the party lost power in Madhya Pradesh because of this. Sachin Pilot almost did in Rajasthan and the government was saved by the last minute intervention by the Gandhis. Even now, the Rajasthan situation is fragile.

There are others like Milind Deora, Jitin Prasad, Deepen Hooda and others waiting for a chance to leave the party. It is interesting that it is the Team Rahul, which has revolted and not the disgruntled old guard.

It is this power struggle, which is seen in the letter by the 23 dissidents. Some of them have been in the party for decades and also held high positions. Even now, among the letter writer are the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and deputy leader Anand Sharma who had given many years to the party. The old guard fears that if Rahul Gandhi continues the same style of functioning they would be dumped.

The Gandhis have got a jolt by this dissidence and have to think seriously how to go satisfy the party if they want to continue. It may be a handful of leaders who are signatories to the letter but there are many others who are of the same opinion and willing to join the rank of the dissidents. The letter is only a wakeup call for the Gandhis, particularly Rahul Gandhi. It is a signal that if he did not change his style of functioning, they will split the party. Sonia Gandhi has experienced a split in 1999 when the Maratha strong man Sharad Pawar, P.A Sangma and a few others questioned her foreign origin. Sonia, who resigned in anger and frustration, ultimately emerged stronger and successful. She withdrew the resignation and led the party to victory in 2004 and brought it back in 2009. Rahul is not of the same calibre and has not been able to make a crisis into a victory.

There is still suspense about Rahul coming back as party chief. Rahul has the cards close to his chest but the party chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala in his media briefing again said that the party workers and leaders want Rahul Gandhi. This shows that all options are open. Rahul, who stuck to his decision not to take back the presidency after he quit last year kept quiet to the “Rahul Lao Congress bacho’ chorus raised in the loyalists in the CWC.

However, if he contests for the president in the AICC, he might have to change his style of functioning. He must become more accessible. He should give respect to the old guard and consult them on issues. After all he could utilise their experience for the party. He should also choose wise advisers. The old guard feels that his advisers not only have no knowledge of the ground situation but also are riding roughshod over others. Indira Gandhi had trusted advisers who were knowledgeable and experienced. Even a foolish king could rule well with the help of wise advisers and a wise king could go wrong with wrong advisers.

The crucial CWC meeting has once again showed that the party will not give up the Gandhis and Gandhis cannot afford to lose power. (IPA Service)