With Rahul Gandhi's coronation as Congress chief set, all eyes are now on Sonia and Priyanka

Now that the decks have been cleared for Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as Congress president in the near future, all eyes are on Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi’s proposed coronation has thrown up several questions: What role will Sonia Gandhi, the current party chief, play in a Rahul Gandhi-led Congress? Will she fade into the background or will she continue to take partial interest in party affairs?

Similarly, there is a lot of curiosity about Priyanka Gandhi’s plans. Will she eventually opt for a political career or will she continue to confine herself to a backroom role in Rae Bareli and Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituencies of her mother and brother, respectively?

Though it is becoming increasingly clear that Priyanka Gandhi may not campaign for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, as it was reported earlier, there is no let-up in the demand from party cadre that she play a larger and more visible role in the party. However, she has, so far, chosen to stay away from active politics, making it clear that her brother is the party’s heir apparent.

Sibling equation

The party leadership has actively discouraged the “Priyanka lao” campaign as it would be seen as a vote of no confidence in Rahul Gandhi. And had Priyanka Gandhi decided to become more active in Congress affairs, it would be widely interpreted as an admission by the party that Rahul Gandhi had lost the confidence of the workers, who believed she was better placed to revive the party. Priyanka Gandhi has always been seen as more charismatic than her brother and a better communicator who can connect easily with party workers and the public. There is no doubt she would have eclipsed Rahul Gandhi and possibly emerged as an alternate power centre in the party.

Has the situation changed now that the confusion over Rahul Gandhi’s elevation has finally come to an end? Congress insiders believe so. According to them, since there is greater clarity about the pecking order in the party now, it will be a lot easier for Priyanka Gandhi to take on an oganisational responsibility. “The chances of Priyanka joining active politics have brightened now that the party hierarchy is clear,” said a senior Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh.

This possibility raises fresh questions. Will the brother-sister duo manage to work harmoniously? Will it create tensions between the two? Will it lead to confusion among the cadre?

Congress loyalists insisted there would be no tension between the two as they have a very good equation. In fact, Rahul Gandhi is known to consult Priyanka Gandhi frequently as he relies on her advice. In September, he admitted in an interview that he would like for her to join politics but it was for her to decide.

Though it is difficult to say anything with certainty about Priyanka Gandhi’s future role – the family is extremely tight-lipped on these matters – there is also a growing belief in the party that this will be contingent upon how the Congress fares in Assembly elections in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. If the party does well in next year’s elections in Punjab, Uttarakhand and in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi’s stock will rise in the party and the clamour for Priyanka Gandhi may die down. The Congress vice-president’s track record in elections so far has been dismal as he has failed to deliver a major electoral victory for his party.

For the present, however, Congress insiders believe it will be a good idea if Priyanka Gandhi keeps a low profile in the elections in Uttar Pradesh early next year as the party’s prospects in this electorally-crucial state are not too bright. The party’s poll strategist, Prashant Kishor, has been pushing for a more active role for Priyanka Gandhi in the election campaign on the plea that she can energise party cadre and turn the tide in favour of the Congress. She has been taking an active part in the poll strategy sessions for Uttar Pradesh and, at one point, there were indications that she would campaign outside Rae Bareli and Amethi.

However, Congress strategists are now having second thoughts as they feel it would render Priyanka Gandhi vulnerable if the party unnecessarily exposes her in a state where it is not expected to do well. “It is better to keep her mystique alive and get her to campaign in the Lok Sabha polls,” remarked a Congress office-bearer who did not wish to be identified.

Sonia Gandhi's plans

While speculation about Priyanka Gandhi’s plans is not going to die down soon, the Congress Working Committee’s unanimous appeal to Rahul Gandhi on Monday to helm the party has also turned the spotlight on Sonia Gandhi’s new role.

It is still too early to say that she will withdraw from all political activity or play an advisory role. Though there has been a growing demand from the party rank and file for Rahul Gandhi to take over as party president, there is also a strong view that Sonia Gandhi should be available for consultation on key and important matters. On her part, Sonia Gandhi is ready to hand over all her responsibilities to her son before December 9, when she turns 70, but as chairperson of the Congress parliamentary party, she will continue to play a limited role.

“The party has yet to discuss Sonia Gandhi’s future plans but I am sure she will continue to play an important role in the party,” said the party’s chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala.