From now it is downhill for Sonia
C R Irani
The Statesman
May 26, 1999
Title: From now it is downhill for Sonia
Author: C R Irani
Publication: The Statesman
Date: May 26, 1999
After full exercise of the widest possible democratic rights gifted to
the Congress party by its leader, Indira Gandhi, who broke it in
twain; for instance, the denial of a fair opportunity to defend
oneself, not even being informed of the charge one is refused the
opportunity to defend, the certainty of punishment nevertheless, the
substitution of any quasi-judicial procedure by howls in the streets
demanding punishment, dancing on thoroughfares to the same end, the
general assurance that kangaroo courts are in full flower, all add up
to the certainty that a once great organsation is in the grip of
lumpen elements manipulated by those who believe that the end
justifies the means. And because the end is all, it is no surprise
that with the expulsion of Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar
honour has been satisfied and Sonia Gandhi, to no one's surprise, has
graciously consented to return to head the Congress party and lead it
into oblivion.
No one is worried how the party will fare without its main organiser,
Sharad Pawar, also its main fund-raiser - any money raised by the
leader has always been for her-self and her Rajiv Gandhi Foundation,
of which she is the life trustee for obvious reasons. If a large
number of invitees have to travel to Washington for the Foundation,
Air-India is forced to oblige with forty first class tickets with
confirmed reservations for the greater glory of the lady's spurious
image. There can be nothing genuine about being able to extort so
many free tickets with confirmed reservations for the privilege of
having dinner with Bill Clinton, a privilege the wily American
President avoided with considerable skill.
With Sharad Pawar's expulsion, every local satrap will now have a new
hope and an option, an alternative refuge, if the lady does not
oblige. She will part with no money, there is evidence that the
family's inability to distinguish between private property and public
trust has always been an affliction and has not improved under Sonia
Gandhi. What is difficult to accept is the arrogance. Neither Rajiv
nor Sonia had anything to be arrogant about but the condescension, the
cultivated airs of superiority with nothing whatever to support them
is offensive. And yet to hear hardboiled characters who have met many
worthwhile people in their own lives, talk of being overwhelmed by
being offered a cup of tea from Sonia Gandhi's hands as an excuse for
giving her the money she wants for herself, not her party, would not
do justice to anyone who are not themselves the beneficiaries of
dynastic succession. Sonia rules by frowns, stern looks, half-smiles
and rude messages conveyed by Vincent George who is learning fast.
While not as adept as RK Dhawan with Indira Gandhi's messages, he does
pretty well and his wife has profitable partnerships with specimens
protected by NK Singh; at this level, pretty effective arrangements
are in place. The difference is that times have changed. Sonia will
never recover from the mortal blow she has suffered. In the ultimate
analysis the difference is between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
Between the asil Gandhi and the nakli Gandhi - both nakli if you
accept that the Mahatma was the only Gandhi, the difference even
between the two is too wide to be bridged.
>From now on it is downhill for Sonia.
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