(Image source from: Can Priyanka Gandhi revive the Congress party?})
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been in news recently as speculations were on that she would join active politics. Report of Priyanka taking the plunge into active politics surfaced after senior Congress leaders openly called for her participation in the party affairs in a bigger role.
The daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and sister of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had campaigned for her mother and brother in the general elections and proved to be good at the job.
However Ms Vadra dismissed all speculation as ‘conjecture’ and ‘baseless rumours’. But many within the party remain unconvinced and insisted that she would take to politics at a later stage. This makes us wonder, why are Congress leaders so hopeful that Priyanka will join the party? Can she indeed revive the party's fortune?
Priyanka Gandhi's strength lies in her telegenic presence. It's so formidable that it can challenge PM Narendra Modi’s popularity in mass media. Priyanka was a hit during the election campaigns and she held her own whenever she crossed swords with Modi.
Priyanka has a striking resemblance to her grandmother, Indira Gandhi, which may prove to be an asset. Indira had created an ideal female Gandhi politician – using reserve and charm as needed while demonstrating strength and firmness. How Priyanka will work as a politician is only a speculation at present, but compared to Rahul she seems more prepared for everyday politics. Priyanka has displayed comfort with crowds and and also showed expertise in handling the media.
Ms Vadra is also good at giving sound bites. So in future we may see Narendra Modi, Arvind Kejriwal (if he revives) and Priyanka Gandhi as the three dominant figures in Indian airwaves.
At present, Congress is a case of missing in politics and if Priyanka comes takes the plunge then the party may get its visibility back, especially in between the Parliament session when there is not much scope for opposition to get media attention..
The main threat before Priyanka Gandhi is her husband Robert Vadra. While Priyanka may not be connected in any way to Robert Vadra's questionable land deals. But to navigate herself out of the muck will be quite a challenge for Priyanka Gandhi. She may lose her focus and composure due to the legal proceedings and well-timed leaks by her antagonists.
Another stick point will be her equation with Rahul Gandhi. It could throw her in an awkward position as loyalists will move to both the poles. A time may come when the Congress may openly voice its preference for her. Such a transition will have to be managed seamlessly so that the opposition does not get an opportunity to exploit the cracks.
The greatest challenge for Priyanka as well as the Gandhis is to negotiate the disinterest of India's middle class towards the dynasty. The youth in India resent being ruled by the privileged class. Besides, an Italian mother makes matters all the more complicated and often gives validity to cries of they are not ‘one of us’.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
