Who will be the captain — Modi or Rahul?

Manjil Kr Saikia

(manjilkrsaikia12@gmail.com)

Having no other viable single party alternative a majority of Indian voters cast their votes in favour of the Bhartiya Janata Party. There is no doubt that the face value of Narendra Modi is much above his peers. The childish image of Rahul Gandhi is still intact in the Indian mindset. The BJP IT cell has been ceaselessly working to keep this image alive. Though Mamata Banerjee, as well as Kejriwal, may cope with Modi yet their regional existence is not sufficient enough to create Pan Indian alternative.

The vacillating decision-making process of the Congress party and the cliquish nature of its inner circle close to the Gandhi-Nehru family have already demoralized most of its followers as well as its supporters. So, Indian voters are in dilemma in choosing an alternative to BJP. Some voters are inclined towards regional alternatives or small all India parties having existence only in one or two states. So, it is crystal clear that to date there is no alternative to Modi. But, still, the majority of Indian citizens don't consider Mr Modi as the sole messiah.

There was nothing constant in politics. Anything may happen in a fraction of time. People are in search of an alternative. Poorer people are not at all satisfied due to the exorbitant price rise of essential commodities. Congress party has 20 per cent fixed voters. So, it has a vital role to play. But who will sail the boat? Congress does not have a permanent president. So, a leader like Sharad Pawar has already commented that Congress has lost its zamindari. Only with its Haveli, Congress should not dream of being the sole alternative in the Indian political arena. Give-and-take policy is an essential prerequisite for forming a viable alliance of oppositions. This policy strengthens the tie amongst the parties of the alliance and gives it a concrete shape.

The vital question before the voters is: who will replace Modi? Indian voters have already shown a negative inclination towards Rahul Gandhi. Thus it is clear that Mamata Banerjee or Kejriwal may need to take control of the reign. For that purpose forces of regional parties along with small national parties such as Raijor Dol, Assam Jatiyo Parisad, Siva Sena, TIPRA, Lok Dal, National Conference, Samajwadi Party, RJD, YRS, TRS, Telegu Desam etc., are required to be united under a common umbrella with an agenda of common minimum programme, having a clear-cut view of national and international policies with a pragmatic economic agenda to strengthen the structure as well as the superstructure of Indian economy so that people of the lower stratum of the society may also be benefited.

The creation of an alternative for namesake does not exert effect unless and until it penetrates the mindset of the public as a viable alternative. It requires time. That is why the formation of alternatives in the nick of time doesn't bring any fruit. The main drawback of the Congress leadership is that they are very fond of sycophants as a result they are encircled with sycophants. These sycophants cannot play an impartial role so observation of political scenarios through the eyes of sycophants is dangerous as it cannot show the true and real picture. The inappropriate posture and gesture of Rahul Gandhi often dishearten the Indian citizens who are in search of an alternative. Congress party is still not far away from its earlier behaviour of minority appeasement policy. Occasional visits to a few temples don't wipe off the stigma already attached to Congress. Congress party must have a permanent president having guts to face the pressure, internal as well as external. There are so many veterans and experienced persons within the Congress Party but the sycophants do not allow them to come to the forefront. If this continues, Congress will go to oblivion and Modi will play another innings as captain.