April 26, 1999

The incredible theory of the "reluctant" Sonia

By Swapan Dasgupta

It took the Congress' newly appointed "crisis spokesman" Arjun Singh less than an hour to describe AIADMK's withdrawal of support to the A.B. Vajpayee Government as a "welcome step". It didn't even take him more than 90 minutes to tell the media that "if we are asking the Government to resign it is not just an empty gesture". It took one Sonia Gandhi comment that her party was ready to form an alternative coalition government "if the situation demanded" and Jayalalitha's visit to 10 Janpath for the myth of Congress self-denial to be blown sky high.

It was a well-cultivated myth that had no basis in reality but yet was so readily lapped up by the editorial classes. There is little point in blaming stenographers hungry for appealing theories and sound bites for this theoretical travesty. Ever since the original Gandhi injected the notions of asceticism and self-abnegation into our system, parties have gone around pretending that power is an incidental but unsavoury consequence of politics. Whereas in other democracies politics is about winning power and managing it, India has nurtured a duplicitous value system. This has led to unnecessary moralising of the V.P. Singh variety and equally needless vilification of the Congress as "power hungry" -- labels that are as spurious as calling H.S. Surjeet a communist. If politicians are not in the business of power, what are they in it for?

Sonia Gandhi opted out of home-making out of a grand sense of noblesse oblige. For her, political power couldn't be detached from her obligation to her family's inheritance. That's why Sitaram Kesri was removed in a ruthless coup once it was clear he couldn't lead the Congress back to power. And Sonia assumed the mantle because she was the party's best bet for another shy at government. Yet, for reasons that are grounded in the politicians' understanding of public gullibility, she wilfully conveyed the bewildering message that she was coy about returning to Race Course road and that her primary interest was rebuilding the party block by block. "Is she ready?" asked the hacks innocently.

The fact is, she was always ready. Even after the 1998 general election, the Congress explored the possibility of denying Vajpayee his near-mandate. When that proved impossible, Sonia discovered "constructive opposition". It was expedient. However, since then the Congress has relentlessly pursued its goal. Nobody knows what Sonia actually thought of Rabri Devi's Bihar. What is known is that she emerged a loyal team player and didn't miss the opportunity of embarrassing the Government. Nobody yet knows -- nor is it very relevant -- what Sonia thinks of Jayalalitha. What is well known is that she attended Subramanian Swamy's tea party, ignited the J-Bomb and is awaiting its explosive rewards. She plotted the moves, including facilitating Swamy's visit to Jyoti Basu in Calcutta.

Consequently, it is silly for the BJP and its allies to denounce Sonia for elbowing in and "hijacking" the mandate, unless they too bought the "reluctant Sonia" theory. Even before she formally entered politics, Sonia has never once confirmed that she stands for self-denial. If in doubt, ask P.V. Narasimha Rao. For 13 months, she and her party carefully plotted Vajpayee's downfall. Isn't that why she was put there in the first place? Isn't that what politics is all about? Why invent a mythical Sonia? Never mind the hype; she's a mortal Gandhi, not a divine Mahatma.

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