New Delhi
INDIRA IS BACK
Priyanka Gandhi, who bears a striking resemblance to her grandmother, Indira Gandhi, appears to be a cornerstone of the resurgence of the Indian National Congress.
Dedicated adherents of the Indian National Congress (INC) party and its long-time supporters always aspired to see Priyanka Gandhi Vadra enter active politics. This dream came true on October 23, 2024, when the 52-year-old filed nomination papers to contest by-elections in Wayanad.
Wayanad is one of the 20 Lok Sabha or Lower House of Parliament constituencies in southern India’s Kerala state. Congress leader and Priyanka’s brother, Rahul Gandhi, was elected from Wayanad in the general elections. However, having won two parliamentary seats—another from Rae Bareli—Rahul resigned from Wayanad, thereby causing a by-election. Priyanka will contest the same seat for Congress.
Currently serving as Congress party’s general secretary, Priyanka’s formal political entry was marked by chaos. On February 14, 2019, her first press conference was abruptly cancelled following the Pulwama incident. Since then, she has avoided the press and preferred working as a behind-the-scenes strategist. Now, after five years, she is entering electoral politics at a time deemed most opportune for the grand old party. Her party fared well in the 2024 general election, almost doubling its seats since the last polls. Congress is going through a political revival, and Priyanka is seen as a cornerstone of this resurgence.
Priyanka bears a striking resemblance to her grandmother, Indira Gandhi. She has thus far kept a low profile but is known to be very soft-spoken and articulate, with a talent for connecting with people from all walks of life. Senior Congress party members wanted her to run in the general elections against the incumbent prime minister from Varanasi. Priyanka Gandhi declined this request. Modi won the constituency from other candidates, albeit with a much smaller margin.
Priyanka’s decision to contest Wayanad by-election carries significant weight within the party and without. Her triumph would mark a historic milestone, propelling all three politically active Gandhis into the Parliament. This unique situation prompts questions about power dynamics within Congress, where Gandhi’s name has always held sway.
Priyanka’s decision reaffirms her family’s firm commitment to maintaining their political legacy. Wayanad constituency has been a solid Congress bastion throughout its toughest years, which saw one election setback after another. But Wayanad stood firm behind Congress. The choice of contesting the same seat underscores the party’s strategy of retaining its foothold in Southern India and establishing a deeper connection within the electorate.
Wayanad has a sizeable Muslim and Christian population traditionally aligned with Congress. However, locals have recently raised concerns that Rahul Gandhi is not fully invested in the well-being and welfare of this constituency. Once elected, Priyanka may also face the same criticism. The election itself will present a formidable challenge. Priyanka will be up against two tough adversaries: veteran leader Sathyan Mokeri and two-time councillor Navya Haridas.
Sathyan Mokeri represents the Communist Party of India (CPI). He is a vocal supporter of farmers ‘rights and boasts a sizeable following. Bharatiya Janta Party’s candidate, Navya Haridas, holds a B-Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is only 36 and is regarded as the BJP’s rising star. As a councillor, Navya Haridas has successfully established deep community links within the constituency. She is part of a larger BJP strategy to make inroads into Kerala state, where it has never been able to drop anchor.
Priyanka’s arrival in the parliament will revitalize Congress and offer immense moral support to Rahul Gandhi. The duo will offer a strong unified front in the lower house, where engagement and debate are the order of the day. However, pinning hopes on Priyanka Gandhi alone may not be the wisest strategy for Congress. The party needs a thorough restructuring to boost its overall performance.
Priyanka’s decision to contest Wayanad by-election carries significant weight within the party and without. Her triumph would mark a historic milestone, simultaneously propelling all three politically active Gandhis into the Parliament.
Wayanad’s by-election comes at a crucial moment. It will be followed by state elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, both of which could significantly impact the Congress party’s future political prospects. From Wayanad onwards, every election will be seen as a precursor to the 2029 national elections.
For the Indian National Congress, Gandhi’s enduring legacy is an asset. In marked contrast, the legacy also happens to be a liability. The BJP has consistently criticized Congress for its political nepotism. It is using Priyanka’s electoral debut as additional evidence of this dynastic tendency. Since Congress lost power in 2014, its fortunes have consistently declined, raising doubts about the top leadership. A group of senior party leaders even proposed intra-party changes, allowing non-Gandhis to have a greater say in party affairs. Sonia Gandhi heeded and handed over the reins to Mallikarjun Kharge – a staunch loyalist. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi successfully completed the Bharat Joro Yatra, boosting his political standing. The combined effect of these manoeuvres saw a revitalized Congress that almost doubled its Lok Sabha tally in the previous general elections.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s initiation into electoral foray can be a transformative moment for Congress that will allow the party to reshape its political strategy. With her charisma, strategic insight, and, above all, her ability to easily connect with people, she could be a formidable rival to Narendra Modi. However, she will not tread an easy path. She must overcome internal and external challenges once she steps into the limelight. Her success – or failure – will shape the future course of Indian politics.
The writer is a freelancer and an investment banker based in Karachi. He can be reached at syedatifshamim@hotmail.com
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