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Kerala Cong leader suspended to quell rebellion against Rahul Gandhi

Author: TNN
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 30, 2014
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-Cong-leader-suspended-to-quell-rebellion-against-Rahul-Gandhi/articleshow/35741776.cms

The Kerala leader of the Congress, T H Mustafa, who called Rahul Gandhi a "joker", was suspended on Thursday night in order to stem the growing contagion of rebellion in the party against the young leader.

 Demanding that Rahul be replaced by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mustafa had said that Rahul's policies had led Congress to its worst-ever defeat. He said if Rahul didn't quit his post of Congress vice-president, he should be sacked.

 The assault on the Gandhi heir-apparent rattled the Congress, with leaders fighting shy of commenting on the controversy for fear that it would only put the issue of Rahul's leadership in the spotlight.

 Party spokesman Meem Afzal said, "I haven't seen his statement. But whoever has issued this statement should raise his grievances in the party forum."

 The usually acerbic Mani Shankar Aiyar was muted in his response, "I don't agree with him and I think we are benefitting because of Rahul's leadership. As far as Priyanka is concerned, she is always welcome in the party."

 The reluctance to react showed the party's concern at the rising tide of public criticism of the Gandhi scion over the election defeat. The fear is that Mustafa's criticism, close on the heels of former Mumbai MP Milind Deora's attack on Rahul's advisors - considered a euphemism for the young leader himself - could lead to a barrage of criticism of Rahul's leadership qualities.

 The fact is that while Congressmen are usually unquestioning in their loyalty to the Gandhi family, if the family fails to bring them electoral gains, its utility to the party will come up for questions. The leadership seems aware of this, but is still in a dilemma about the road ahead. It's other dilemma is what is to be done with the rising chorus that Priyanka be brought into active politics.

 Since the electoral debacle, leaders across states have cited Priyanka as the solution to the leadership crisis. Former food minister K V Thomas made a public demand that she join the party and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh echoed the view. So did many others.

 The demands that Priyanka take the plunge reflect a growing sentiment in the Congress. A vast section, unwilling to speak on record for obvious reasons, argues it is time to accept that Rahul does not measure up to the political challenge. "The demand for Priyanka is becoming louder," a senior Congress strategist said, adding that it could not be discounted this time.

 The issue first reared its head when AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said, in the middle of the Lok Sabha campaign, that Rajiv Gandhi had told him about Priyanka's political aptitude way back in 1990. "As far as I know, Priyanka's interest in politics started at an early age. She was keen to understand political developments and the language of politics from the very start," Dwivedi had said.

 The comment was seen to imply that Rahul was a reluctant politician and even the first family had seen the daughter as the heir to its political legacy. The poll debacle under Rahul's charge has revived the debate.

    
It remains to be seen how the Congress leadership, rather the Gandhi family, settles the issue. Some believe it could result in Priyanka taking charge of organizational work and strategy while Rahul remains the public face and heir apparent.
 
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