Dilemmas of succession

Rahul Gandhi has to present an alternate vision

Rahul Gandhi formally took over as president of the Indian National Congress party last week. This cementing of the dynastic nature of the Congress’ leadership is hardly a surprise. The only question was when Mr Gandhi would step into a position that every Congress member has assumed would be his. It is, of course, unfortunate for Indian democracy that its oldest national party has essentially become a family enterprise. Mr Gandhi’s mother, father, grandmother, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather all led the party; his mother, Sonia Gandhi, was the longest-serving Congress president. While Mr Gandhi’s rise may be seen as inevitable,