Is Priyanka the next Congress matriarch?

Priyanka Gandhi took political circles by surprise when she announced that she is willing to expand her role beyond the family-held constituency of Rae Bareli and assume more responsibilities, if asked to do so by the family and the party.
There has been a lot of uncertainty over who will call the shots in Congress in the absence of Sonia Gandhi — whose health and extent of recovery from a recent surgery is still under a cloud of secrecy.
Rahul Gandhi, projected by the Congress as the family scion and prime minister in waiting, is yet to progress beyond party strengthening and assume the role of a national leader.
His latest and much-hyped Bihar campaign to oust the Nitish Kumar government not only failed but failed at a grand scale resulting in total humiliation to the party.
Of late, there have been several voices questioning his effectiveness to deliver at the polling booth despite all the publicity advantage provided by hut-hopping and tirades against non-UPA state governments.
Post-independence, except brief spells, the Congress has always found refuge in woman leaders whenever faced with a crisis. Take a look at Priyanka’s photo in black and white and the resemblance to her grandmother is remarkable.
One can’t help but wonder if another woman, after Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, is about take the helm of India’s oldest party and ‘First Family’.
So far Priyanka has maintained a relatively low-key profile, appearing in public functions only during the time of elections. Everyone knows that she is married to prominent Delhi businessman Robert Vadra and has two children. Described by several media and political observers as a power-dresser, she carries off a t-shirt and cotton sari with equal élan.
Unknown to many is the information that she is also a Ham radio operator. Ours is a country where personal charisma is more effective in ensuring mass following than ability or willingness to govern — a factor that gives Priyanka a huge advantage that can offset her lack of experience in the hinterland politics.
Also adding to her advantage is the fact that about half of the electorate are women. Whether this combined thrust will propel her to the top office of the country is the question only a full-fledged national election battle can answer.
The Congress is in dire straits, rocked by mega scams and arm-twisting by allies. The party has also drawn flak from the industry for its ability to deliver on key policy initiatives. The only advantage is a divided Opposition, led by the BJP, who have no credible alternative to offer.
The saffron party recently shot itself in the foot by inducting Babusingh Kushwaha who was booted out by Mayawati over the NHRM scam. The party will find it tough to explain why Yeddyurappa’s nominee is ruling Karnataka and why it made peace with the Reddy brothers, all under a cloud of suspicion over multiple scams.
With Anna Hazare’s anti-graft movement fizzling out after a media overkill and parliamentary dead end, the Congress has no credible challenge to its status quo. However, in Uttar Pradesh, status quo means flash in the pan or the grass that gets trampled when the wrestler patriarch grapples with the pachyderm.
Rahul has had his chance for over a decade now and yet has fallen way short of expectations. Therefore, it’s only natural that other leaders and party members may rally around a new face. It is time for the Congress and the Gandhi khandan to take some tough and decisive measures.

(This article was published as the editorial column in Postnoon on January 20, 2012)