Dynasty steps in to save the Congress

However, the development is expected to have a bearing on how parties like the TMC and Samajwadi Party react especially as both G.K. Moopanar and Mulayam Singh Yadav are known to be soft on 10, Janpath. The announcement of Sonia’s plunge into active politics came in an imperious statement from “the office of Sonia Gandhi” which was signed by Sonia’s private secretary Vincent George.

Said the much-awaited statement: “A large number of Congress workers from all over the country have requested Shrimati Sonia Gandhi to take active interest in the affairs of the Congress party which is at the moment passing through a very crucial phase. On 17th December, the Congress president conveyed to Shrimati Sonia Gandhi the unanimous request of the extended Congress Working Committee to campaign for the party at this difficult moment. Shrimati Sonia Gandhi has acceded to these requests. Details for putting this decision into practice are being worked out by the AICC.”

An ambitious launching pad for Sonia is being planned by the AICC. On the anvil are at least one visit to each State Capital to be followed by more in States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

Indications are that Sonia’s campaign might begin by mid-January at the latest.

Ten Janpath’s statement spurred a somnolent Congress president Sitaram Kesri into life and he practically strode his way into the AICC media room a good 15 minutes before the scheduled briefing time to make the announcement himself. “With all gratitude, I welcome the decision. I have been requesting her to campaign. My mental tension is over,” Kesri said.

However, Kesri’s enthusiasm could backfire as the move is being seen as a victory for the anti-Kesri and pro-Sonia camp in the Congress which has been gunning for Kesri. CWC members Arjun Singh, Jitendra Prasada, Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, A.K. Antony, Madhav Rao Scindia, Ahmed Patel, R.K. Dhawan, Ghulam Nabi Azad and others like K. Karunakaran, Mamata Banerjee, Mani Shankar Aiyar and Ajit Panja have all sought Kesri’s sidelining.

With Sonia now jumping into the fray, this could well be achieved provided, though, she manages to clinch the issue for the party. Sonia’s nod, being seen as a momentous development in the Congress, was the result of hard bargaining with several leaders and her own associates pleading constantly that she campaign and take interest in organisational affairs.

Many burnt the midnight lamp and presented Sonia with reports saying she would be able to halt the rise of communal forces. “This is an entirely selfless exercise. She has not asked for anything from the Congress and has agreed to put security considerations at bay,” said a source close to 10, Janpath.

But the simple fact of Sonia taking an active interest in party affairs implies that she will have a hand in allotment of tickets and other matters.

Also, technically, anybody can be elected as leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party – even a person who is not a Congress Parliamentary Party member. Some former MPs are already hoping that Sonia will be elected Congress Parliamentary Party leader after the elections thus pushing Kesri to the sidelines.

Apparently, Sonia’s nod came before she left for a foreign trip about five days ago but was only released now after Kesri’s desperate appeal yesterday asking partymen not to leave the Congress.

The immediate effect of Sonia’s entry was that the smiles were back on the faces of gloomy party leaders and workers.

“We are through in this election,” said one probable candidate from Madhya Pradesh at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters after the announcement was made. The mood spread fast and after a long time, the party morale seemed to be upbeat.

One party which may need to do some quick rethinking is the Bharatiya Janata Party which went to town with its “conquests” from Congress benches in recent days. Congress Working Committee member Pranab Mukherjee took an indirect dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party today saying “let those who left us decide to come back, we will see then.”