)
Asked why the Congress from its official podium was congratulating only the scientists at ISRO for the successful launch of the PSLV, and not Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, a defensive Congress spokesperson said, "We are a constructive Opposition. When we see Modi ji doing good work, we shall certainly praise him." "This is third phase of the PSLV" said spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed trying to drive home the message that the new BJP regime played no role in its success.
However, only a fortnight back another Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had raised many eyebrows when he went overboard in his praise of the new incumbent at 7, RCR Narendra Modi. A month after being swept out of power, the Congress is already reeling under the shock of its colossal defeat and is yet to come to terms that it is in the Opposition.
As it is, the party has had to face the ignominy of the BJP virtually denying it the role of the Leader of Opposition position in the Lok Sabha due to its depleted strength of 44 MPs. Although, the ball is said to be still in the court of the Speaker, indications are that it might get to the chair the PAC and forego the LOP position. While Congress leaders have gone red in the face arguing that they cannot by law be denied the position, the ruling party with its overwhelming majority has kept it hanging; more clarity will emerge when Parliament starts on July 7.
One of the party's greatest drawbacks, as admitted by its own leaders as well as its President Sonia Gandhi is inability to communicate. That continues to dog the party still. In its bid not to be seen as "vengeful Opposition" when the new government is still in its honeymoon period, the party as some leaders conceded has failed to take the government to task over key issues. Whether it be the hike in rail fares (the hike in fares of suburban trains in Mumbai was subsequently withdrawn due to the stringent opposition from BJP ally Shiv Sena, not due to Congress protests) or the union minister Nihalchand issue (he has been summoned by court in connection with a rape case). While the Congress' Mahila wing led a series of protests demanding justice for the victim, it did not succeed in making the government cringe or do a rethink on having a tainted minister.
The party has this past month, been absorbed in the task of dousing its own internal fires with infighting breaking out in several states post the poll rout even as the Congress was involved in a process of introspection. The high command has had to step in as Haryana, Assam and Maharashtra chief ministers faced severe dissidence and for weeks it was being speculated these CMs would be replaced but Assembly polls in two of these states appears to have prompted a rethink.
The Congress could take a lesson or two from the BJP, with its leaders still embarrassing the Grand Old Party by speaking in many voices. The party was left red faced explaining as one of its senior most leaders, A K Antony publicly said on Friday that the party's secularism was perceived as appeasement of minorities and had alienated large section of voters. The Congress tried feebly to firefight alleging the statements was Kerala specific and should not be extrapolated nationally.
What has however damaged the party to greatest extent, is the party Vice President Rahul Gandhi non -performance in its darkest hour. While the party had despite reservations (from several quarters), continued to accept Gandhi's leadership, what they hoped to see was Rahul Gandhi leading from the front even in Opposition. Leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Veerappa Moily went on record calling for the Gandhi scion to take on the mantle of Leader of the party in the Lok Sabha. The party belied their hopes and chose to play safe appointing veteran Mallikarjun Kharge as its leader. It hasnt helped matters that Gandhi loyalist Digvijay Singh has caused a stir by saying that Gandhi "lacks the temperament to rule" and is more in the role of an activist fighting injustice.
Apart from stray appearances at Amethi and Badaun in UP, Gandhi was absent from public eye and continued with his tradition of going abroad for over a week to celebrate his birthday. This year too was no exception. While the party believes it has managed to quell the rising voices against Gandhi's select non-political coterie, by focusing on the Antony led informal committee working on the reasons for poll rout and way forward; should some substantial change not emerge post July 6th when the committee is slated to finish its task, then disgruntled elements including partyworkers are sure to start leaving for greener pastures.
Several of the UPA top ministers who contested elections and failed to win even their seats, have gone back to their "main" professions. Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid have all gone back to donning the lawyers coat and focusing on their careers.
A month after its poll debacle, the party is still waiting for the big change to kick in. Many confess that are yet to come to terms with what has hit them. Telephoning the residences of Congressmen who had been ministers for long ten years, even two weeks after May 16, was met with the stock response, "Mantri ji is not at home." Somebody should have given the Congress a reality check, these leaders were not even MPs now and therefore persona non grata.
