New Delhi: After 10 long years in politics, Sonia Gandhi still remains as enigmatic as ever. At the same time, she has also proven her credentials as a proficient leader of the Grand Old Party, a clever politician blending politics and policy to good effect and an adept hand in managing coalition era politics.
But has Sonia Gandhi finally grown into a politician in her own right? CNN-IBN's National Affairs Editor Diptosh Majumdar analysed the 10 years of Sonia as a politician in an Online Chat with readers on IBNlive.com on Friday. Here we reproduce the unedited text of the chat.
Bhavesh S Kothari: Is Sonia a reliable politician for the country or for National Congress Party ? There is no body as talented as Sonia in National Congress? Is National Congress a Political Party or Family Firm?
Diptosh Majumdar: Has she done anything to prove that her party's interests and those of the country clash in any way over the past four years. I think she hasn't. The foreign origin debate is largely over after the politics of renunciation. That was a clever move, you have to admit. And tell me which party is not a family firm? In India, the caste system was never meant to be hereditary , it became hereditary because we Indians love to ensure a good future for our children. Look at the way lawyers, doctors, IAS officers, film stars push their children in the same profession so that the children don't have to do the groundwork. Dynasty is in our genes. Let's not blame a foreign-born woman for that.
Raj: Don't you think that Sonia Gandhi has a facade of a politician which she is not?
Diptosh Majumdar: Every politician has a facade. You cannot be a politician without a facade. Vajpayee has it, Advani has it, even a politically naive Manmohan Singh has it. But Sonia Gandhi tries hard. I agree she doesn't have a clue of a lot of things but she has come a long way since she began in 1998.
Malleshwara: People and specially Media is in Awe of Sonia.. I dont think the party is run by Sonia.. It is run by a group of coterie.. So whats so great about sonia.. I think Mayawati, Jayalalitha and even to that extent Mamta is much more superior than Sonia.. UPA has not made any differnce to my life.. a Salaried class employee. When NDA was in power.. I was atleast able to Pick up a House and Car with Low interest rates then.. Today i have to shell more on daily vegetables groceries and essentials. The tax structure being so huge.. i am not able to invest.. Sonia and UPA have not made any difference to AAM Admi.. Your take?
Diptosh Majumdar: Even when Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, there was a group of people very close to him who ran the show. It is with every regime. The leader and her close group of confidantes run the show....My take is that aam aadmi has benefited in the same manner in both regimes... I have seen from a close range how the ordinary man's own personal success story has not really needed any government support. I think in future the less governance we have the better.
G Santhosh: Is Sonia Gandhi a true political leader?
Diptosh Majumdar: If she is the most powerful person of the second most powerful democracy in the world, she has to be a political leader. India is much more difficult to administer than a single language, one religion-dominated United States.
Priyadarshi: What is big thing Sonia did? If you measure in terms of Lok Sabha seats Congress has, it is not much bigger to BJP holding or Congress was holding Sitaram Kesari times? What she did difference to congress is, earlier congress was contesting indepedently, but now she bowed to regional party & driving coalision govt. Left because -ve attitude towards BJP, giving much oxygen to congress. There are many states where still congress is non entity-UP, Bihar, WB, TN. Because of Sonia, in Maharastra, Meghalaya the power of congress reduces and NCP is growing. Sonia is enjoying unaccoutable power because sycophancy towards gandhi family rather any leadership quality like Vajpayee has before. So big thing about Sonia is just media creation, rather actual acceptance in masses. What is your opinion?
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Diptosh Majumdar: Coalition politics has come to stay. You cannot wish it away. Sonia understood that reality. True, she didn't understand it herself probably. But others around her did. So, you have to give it to her that she held the party together and the Congress improved its tally from where it was. We are looking at a scenario when in the next general election neither Congress nor BJP would be anywhere close to a majority mark...
Pramod: Sonia is not the best in business, needs a lot more aam aadmi stuff inorder to get the best out of her party.
Diptosh Majumdar: This Budget, I thought, was quite a splash. It send out a simple message that the Congress was for the poor. It is completely bad economics but a very good political statement. So, how much more aam aadmi stuff do you need. I think after such a budget if Congress doesn't do well, it will underline the fact that Congress doesn't have organizational base at all to get a feel-good factor translated into votes......
Bhavesh S Kothari: If Soniaji has sympathy for the citizen of India why they don't pass special or extra ordinary rules not to waste the money behind useless work i.e. misuse of Govt vehicles, flights, railway or Not to use their power against poor or uneducated people?
Diptosh Majumdar: You are wanting to take away the licence raj elements that still survive in our political class. It will slowly go away. Sonia has nothing to do with it. These elements were also there in the NDA regime. It will take a little more time.
Rushabh Doshi: What do you think about Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and her party's chance in an upcoming general elections, as her party has virtually lost all states in Hindi Heartland, and how can she revive her party's chance in those states?
Diptosh Majumdar: If the elections are held early, Congress may do reasonably well; may hold on to the tally it won last time. But I have this feeling that in most states, the regional parties are going to do better...that pushes the Congress and the BJP to a different power sharing arrangement. For all you know, the Third Front may be back in contention.
G Santhosh: What has she done to the educational sector so far?
Diptosh Majumdar: Sonia Gandhi was hamstrung largely because the government depended on Arjun Singh who is a relic from the licence raj era. Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi spoke out against the backwardness in the education sector in Lok Sabha. Arjun Singh was too busy with politics of reservation and education was lost in controversy. Even during BJP rule, education was in the hands of Murli Manohar Joshi who unnecessarily wasted time by taking on the IIMs.
Ashwin T: Don't you think that sycophancy and nepotism within the Congress party has grown in the last decade or so since Sonia Gandhi took over? would you hold her responsible for it? The Congress workers seem to be falling over each other trying to impress Sonia what with the naming of every other new institution coming up after the Gandhis. Don't you think Sonia could have stepped in to nip this at the bud at the start of her tenure?
Diptosh Majumdar: I wholly agree with you. You may have faith in a dynastic party leader but, come on, this is the 21st century; you can't have such open display of sycophancy. This is where our civilization hasn't really reached a stage of sophistication. Everything is too loud; even sycophancy is embarrassingly huge.
Malleshwara: Is sonia credit for holiding the pary together or anything more..If holding the congress is more important and valuable, Then i guess something wrong with us.. Are we looking at some one who will take us forward or build a party for their own selfish gains?
Diptosh Majumdar: Suggest an alternative. Tell me what is happening in the BJP.
Rakesh: Diptosh. what according to you are the qualities Sonia possesses as a leader? Name a few both negative and positive?
Diptosh Majumdar: I think she has an overall understanding of India as it lives in the cities but she doesn't understand the details of our regional culture....in recent years Narasimha Rao and Vajpayee were too leaders who really understood the varied India at the grassroots but she has an uncanny sense of whom to trust and whom not to. I think the renunciation politics and the idea of choosing Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister were masterstrokes. That suggested a political maturity. True, she has also not interfered too much in the running of the government unless there has been crisis but then she has never forgiven those who have betrayed her or her family in the past. She has been over-dependent on the coterie around her; her lack of understanding of all issues concerning governance has not been a good thing for the party.
Sumit: Did Sonia sacrifice the PM post or she had to forgo the post due to objections of certain UPA partners as Sonia as PM?
Diptosh Majumdar: There were many rumours in May 2004. Whatever happened, it turned out to be a great political decision
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Srikanth: What does the future holds for Sonia? Has she reached a stage in her life that is decisive in her career as a politician?
Diptosh Majumdar: Everybody knows Sonia is pushing Rahul. She is basically doing a holding job for him. Her critics would say that she is promoting the son when her daughter was naturally more politically inclined. She won't every become a Prime Minister. She's be Congress president as long as Rahul needs her to be around. Rahul, after all, is yet to mature. In India no politician matures before 45. We love gerontocracy or rule of the aged.
Vinod: Don't you this attitude of congress making a reluctant politician (as she calls herself) a good sign. all young MP Congress boasts itself are all born with silver spoon?
Diptosh Majumdar: That is the problem with us Indians. I have a profession which is completely different from my father's. But then how many in the Indian society do that. They all follow the footsteps of their successful parents.
Yogesh: Which fear Soniaji has to accept the post of PM? It there any constitutional provisions which prohibits her appointment as PM?
Diptosh Majumdar: Don't worry she has enough political sense not to go after the PM's job. She'll never do that. After all, that is her big USP. That is the reason why she has won so much respect. Her political rating would be extremely row if she hadn't done that.
Neela: I think Sonia is desperately holding the fort for Rahul, who has not proved his competency in anything and has nowhere to go. What do you think of this "illustrious" son?
Diptosh Majumdar: Rahul is trying hard and is sincere. But sincerity alone doesn't make politicians. Yesterday, I was listening to his Lok Sabha speech. He was sound, he was solid, obviously he had been tutored. He was suffering from a little lack of confidence but that is okay. The problem is he lacked charisma. If you are a politician without charisma, that's a huge minus.
Malleshwara: Why is every journalist in so awe of Congress and sonia gandhi.. 60 years of mess is what we have inherited.. Your answer to my question.. is not convincing. I live day in day out with Middle class.. Nothing has changed for us.. May be for the elite yes..
Diptosh Majumdar: Agreed, I agree completely that Sonia hasn't achieved much; I only want to say that in comparison with other politicians her failures cannot be too bad....
Bhavesh S Kothari: I think h'ble Soniaji is strong and brave woman then why she misguide the citizen of India against the Gujarat State ? As she think Gujaratis have no idea what is wrong or true for them ? I think she has to appreciate our Chief Minister Mr Narendra Modi's theme.
Diptosh Majumdar: Gujarat election results were a clear response to the Congress politics of raking up an old issue which the Gujaratis themselves didn't want to be raised. I think the Congress got a fitting reply.
Vinayak.S: Hi Diptosh, taking nothing away from sonia gandhi dont you think that whenever the current UPA govt announces welfare schemes it is projected as being done by sonia. On the flip side, if some unwelcome measures are introduced, the govt is being blamed and not the UPA chairperson. Is it not time for her to stop all this unhealthy publicity?
Diptosh Majumdar: It's a shame that Congress suffers from this feudal perspectively. You have put it rightly as though Sonia is the queen and the queen can do no wrong. Nineteenth century mindset, I agree with you.
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Sumit: If Congress comes to power will Sonia be the prime minister this time?
Diptosh Majumdar: Never. I just explained.
Adhitya: Sir, do you think Sonia Gandhi as a single entity can achieve massive electoral successes?
Diptosh Majumdar: Cannot. India has moved beyond that era of star politicians. If Vajpayee as a leader failed to return to power, we have to realize that Indians don't want to repose faith in a single leader. I think gone are the days when a Nehru or Indira could pull a party alone and win elections singlehandedly. In an era of coalitions, no single leader can charm the entire country. But I think Mayawati if she pursues her kind of politics can travel some distance. Dalits definitely believe she has charisma and she has shown us her organizational ability in Uttar Pradesh. She'll grow outside UP but only time will tell how far she'll really travel. This country is waiting for a star politician who can unite the nation.
Ramesh Raina: Being married into Kashmiri Pandit family, who are worst sufferrers of Islamic Terror, why is she soft on terrorism?
Diptosh Majumdar: Congress is a Centrist party. It wants to be friends with everybody, every community, every faith, every sect. It believes in tolerance more than toughness. That probably explains its hesitation.
P.Venkatasubramanian: There is no inner party democracy in Congress. It is not surprising to find Madam has completed 10 years as the chief of the Party. Had she her way she would have become the Prime Minister. The renunciation and inner voice are bunkum.
Diptosh Majumdar: How can you expect anything else in such a dynastic party. In India, except for BJP and the Communists, every other party is heading in a dynastic direction. Look at the way Laloo promoted Rabri Devi. Deve Gowda, Karunanidhi, Bal Thackeray everybody have been promoting their sons. Congress provides the model. Otherwise, how can you explain our love for five generations of Nehru-Gandhis beginning from Motilal Nehru.
Kundan Kumar:And what is the future of Congress... if good then, do u see Rahul as future prime minister?
Diptosh Majumdar: I think 21st Century India is looking at performance and not just lineage. If Rahul cannot prove himself. his chances are remote. Of course, Congress will try to promote him but then people won't have faith in such a party beyond a point.
Ben: Sir, according to you, what are the highs and lows of Mrs Sonia during her decade long tenure at Congress? and from now on, where she will go?
Diptosh Majumdar: I have been talking of the highs and lows till now. I think the second part of the question is interesting. Sonia will basically remain the chief strategist, chief campaigner, and crisis manager for the party. She'll groom Rahul Gandhi on governance.
Adhitya: Sir, if you had to choose between Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Sonia Gandhi as the "Leader" of the Nation - who would you choose and why?
Diptosh Majumdar: Difficult question to answer. Atal Behari Vajpayee is among the best homegrown politician this country has produced. Whatever he achieved he did on his own. Sonia Gandhi had greatness thrust upon her. But she proved remarkably equal to the task. It's not a diplomatic reply. Vajpayee of course will be judged in history in a different way because he was also the Prime Minister
Manish Sharma: How can you justify Sonia's decision to forma an alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu? What prompted her to take this decision?
Diptosh Majumdar: I remember what the late Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar used to say, in politics there are no permanent enemies or friends.
Manish M Nair: Her success is it because of Sonia as an individual or as she being to Gandhi family?
Diptosh Majumdar: The Congress needed her because she was a bahu of the Gandhi family. But she has come a long way from there.
Ravi: Why Congress highlighting Sonia while Manmohan as PM? Never seen earlier a Congress Chairmen is more than the PM!!!
Diptosh Majumdar: This is very important. Some people has seen Sonia doing what Laloo did in Bihar when Rabri Devi was chief minister or what Bal Thackeray did in Maharashtra when Manohar Joshi or Narayan Rane were chief ministers. But the Prime Minister of the country has to deal with foreign leaders. He is the face of governance. He cannot be belittled. But I have felt there have been many occasions when Sonia could have protected the Prime Minister and ensured he wasn't humiliated. The entire nuke deal impasse is an embarrassment for Manmohan Singh.
Malleshwara: I sincerely thank you for taking up most of my questions.. Having travelled to some of the countries like even Thailand, and the sort of growth they have achieved. It pains to see my country to remain a developing a nation for years. I have a request for you media as a whole, Lets make this country a developed nation.. We have to do it , and the politicians in 100 years will not do it.. and you media should take the intiative. Educate people specially Rural. and we will be there. Abdul Kalam's vision.
Diptosh Majumdar: It's happening sir. The percentage of governance requirement in our lives has to go down. As a free economy we shall do better. We are already doing better.
Manish: Hi, don't you think this sole reliance of Congress on Gandhi family is promoting just another form of monarchy system...just like in older times we already know that prince Rahul will be country's PM or for that matter Priyanka will be....these people,Sonia or Rahul or Priyanka, haven't proved anything in any domain....how can be they our best minds, given that democracy solely relies on meritocracy and only best talent is supposed to lead the country.
Diptosh Majumdar: Agreed absolutely a monarchical scenario. Rahul is like Prince William or Prince Harry. But unlike the British princes, he will wield real power. It is not a very healthy political scenario but then this country is like that. I presume as the old saying goes, every society gets the government it deserves. But one question, Rahul Gandhi took the political plunge. How many of the educated will give up a lucrative job or business and take up an uncertain career like politics?
Krishnan: Sir, do you think that Bofors case will continue to haunt Sonia for ever?
Diptosh Majumdar: It's a blot. I think the way de-freezing of the Quattorocci bank account was done is immoral to say the least.
Brijesh: I wonder if Sonia ever gave a speech extempore.
Diptosh Majumdar: Now that you ask me; even I wonder... I can't remember one.
Shubhashish Agarwal: Is there a competiton going on inthe media? India Today Group supports the BJP and CNN-IBN network supports Congress and Sonia?
Diptosh Majumdar: That's untrue.
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