Opposition in disarray

The plight of Congress is worse than that of a coward who the Bard says dies a thousand deaths before he actually dies. The grand old party of Nehru and Gandhi seems to be suffering from a strange death wish, a death that has larger than life proportions.

Despite a virtual decimation in the polls, the party could still hope to enjoy some clout–and relevance–due to the numerical situation in the Rajya Sabha, where Modi's NDA is clearly short of the required numbers. That was one chance for the 'secular' Opposition to keep the saffron flag from fluttering away to glory. But developments in recent days have proved that the Congress, read Opposition, advantage was only a mirage.

The ease with which the government managed to push its controversial Right to Information (RIT) Act amendment bill through Rajya Sabha, despite the draconian nature of the legislation, which should have united all Opposition parties against it, showed that the issue transcended mere numbers. It was a real snub to Congress, particularly Sonia Gandhi, who had apparently played an important role in bringing such landmark legislation during the UPA government's rule.

The worst was reserved for later this week when the Triple Talaq bill also cleared the Rajya Sabha hurdle. The 'criminalisation' clause in the bill had provided a ground for unity for all 'secular' forces to stand united as it was clearly seen targeting Muslim men, though their wayward behaviour was never worthy of any sympathy. Still, as an issue, it had an appeal that could cut across political affiliations.

Before the session started, Congress did make feeble attempts to keep the 'secular' flock together so that the Modi government could be held to check on its dangerous majoritarian trip. But finally when the crunch came, the Opposition was found completely lost for clues and there was a clear lack of mobilisation effort. The trenchant resistance of the past couple of years, which frustrated the ruling front's bid to push the legislation through the Upper House more than once, was of no avail as the Opposition parties went their own way without any coordination whatsoever. Conversely, it was the success of the Modi-Shah floor strategy, which turned out to be too much for an Opposition in disarray.

When the bill was taken up in Rajya Sabha, there were absentees on both sides. But backroom discussions by Modi and Shah ensured that there would be little resistance as members of AIADMK, JD (U), and TRS stayed away. The absence of some members of Congress, Samajwadi Party, TDP, YSR Congress and RJD made the government task easier and the bill was passed with 183 votes in favour, but with 57 members not voting. The notable absentees included NCP chief Sharad Pawar and his lieutenant Praful Patel.

There was clearly a sense of helplessness on the part of the Opposition as the mood for the day was set by the resignation of family loyalist Sanjay Singh from Congress, crossing over to the Treasury benches. The resignation is seen as a sign of a malaise that is fast gripping Rahul Gandhi's Congress, if at all it can be called so, as Congressmen are searching for clues on how to get out of their situation. Apparently, the party is wary of more such 'crossing overs' as Congressmen are well aware of the fact that there is no dearth of all-weather politicians, who can do the switch at the slightest provocation.

It is rather ironic to see how Rahul Gandhi was so important to Congress that without him the party is drifting towards an unceremonious ending. The rudderless Congress is behaving as if it is seeing the end of the world. Congressmen have been looking up to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for some help, but Rahul Gandhi has not helped their cause by insisting that the party will not now be led by a member of the dynasty.

Loyalists like Shashi Tharoor haven't given up hope. Tharoor, who has been rooting for Priyanka to succeed Rahul, made another pitch by expressing the hope that Priyanka will throw her hat in the ring when the call for elections for the party chief's post is made, although he agrees that it is up to the Gandhi family to decide on whether she will contest.

Tharoor says 'lack of clarity' over succession to Rahul Gandhi's leadership is hurting Congress, and has suggested the abolition of Congress Working Committee and holding of fresh elections for all key posts. But he has no doubt about the continued pre-eminence of the dynasty in Congress politics.

He has no doubt that the dynasty will remain the conscience keepers of the Congress party, irrespective of who leads the party, although he does not expect the new chief to knock at the doors of the family every time he or she is called upon to make a decision. Congressmen are not strangers to back seat driving and are confident that Delhi's 10 Janpath and 12 Tughlaq Lane will continue to have a say in what goes on at the 24 Akbar Road party headquarters.

(The views expressed are strictly personal)