After the split with ally DMK to join hands with Vijay in Tamil Nadu, Indira Gandhi’s grandson Rahul, too, is being accused of her “ruthless pragmatism”
Vijay and Rahul Gandhi were seen smiling as both share the stage for Tamil Nadu government swearing-in ceremony.
Is Rahul Gandhi emulating his grandmother, Indira Gandhi? The former PM was often accused of “use and throw” politics. Rahul Gandhi is being accused of the same, post the Vijay-Rahul Gandhi bonhomie.
As Gandhi flew down to Chennai for the oath, the selfie moments did cause heartburn to former ally Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
But it has alarmed many who thought Gandhi would give premium to loyalty. This is where the comparison to his grandmother comes in.
An astute politician, Indira Gandhi had mastered the art of making and dumping friends depending on her political requirements. Like just ahead of the 1971 war, she used the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and took their help to whip up national support for the Bangladesh war. But post that, she was one of their most bitter critics and spared no opportunity to attack them.
The most classic was the case of the syndicate. Indira Gandhi was propped to power with the help of the old syndicate. But after assuming power, she felt that this group would restrict her and have many expectations from her. So she encouraged a split into what came to be called ‘Young Turks’
Over a period of time, even they became pariah.
Chandrashekhar, for example, one of the Young Turks, was arrested during the Emergency.
Also, the same Left, which she hated, was used by her to push her socialist ‘Garibi Hatao’ narrative. Today Indira Gandhi’s grandson, too, is being accused of her “ruthless pragmatism”.
In fact, Rahul Gandhi was never too comfortable with the alliance with the DMK. He, say sources, could never get over the fact that Dr Manmohan Singh was often forced to change or make decisions because of the DMK.
Like in UPA 2, despite Singh not keen on making A Raja or T Raja ministers, he had to. Rahul Gandhi, say sources, was not happy with the ordinance on convicted netas being allowed to contest, and felt that if the allies can use Congress, so can the Congress.
Rahul Gandhi’s calculation is that allies like the DMK should be taught a lesson. Also, it would keep the cadre happy and make the Congress a player, not a mute spectator, in Tamil Nadu politics, which could then be used as a bouncing board to strengthen its position in other states.
Sources say the legacy of Indira Gandhi’s pragmatic politics over personal equation and loyalty, has been inherited and implemented by grandson Rahul Gandhi.
Read More
