3 min readNew DelhiDec 20, 2010 03:30 AM IST
First published on: Dec 20, 2010 at 03:30 AM IST
As light from the evening sun covered the Congress’ 83rd plenary session ground,overlooking Burari village,a set of curious contrasts emerged. For one,while the main hall inside the podium — from where the leaders were delivering their speeches — was being prepared for cultural performances,the area outside was characterised by empty chairs and the dust kicked off by departing vehicles.
Though the artistes enacted the first session of the Indian National Congress held at Bombay in December 1885,complete with nationwide stalwarts and an A O Hume-lookalike to reflect the party’s heterogeneity,Sunday’s session only had the predictable homogeneity on offer. Notwithstanding the usual scene of white-clad party members of all hierarchies and regions clamouring for tickets and other benefits,the posters dotting the roads leading to the site only had the pictures of the family’s familiar few. Nowhere was the vitality and vibrancy that could have transformed this into an occasion that offered the nation an appropriate metaphor to mark the party’s 125th year.
“Is it a mere party affair or a national achievement? The Congress,at least on this occasion,should have spread a message stating that the entire country feels proud of its past. Instead,they are indulging in mere political claims,” said an old-timer from Jharkhand,who claimed to be with the party since adolescence.
While the loudest cheers — not unexpectedly,though — were reserved for Rahul Gandhi (the hall witnessed a sudden exodus after he finished),only a few seemed interested in watching the ‘History of Congress’ performance that was being enacted inside,the old man pointed out.
Admittedly,the arrangements made for the event over acres of land were admirable. Neatly laid-out vermillion gravel,thousands of partymen clutching ticket hopes,fire vehicles,a medical centre,portable washrooms,hordes of mediapersons,over half-a-dozen eatery halls and a mini-township called Rajiv Nagar —- the plenary session had it all.
“I joined this organisation because I follow the ideals of Gandhiji. I don’t want anything from the party,I am happy to be serving in my meagre capacity,” said Seva Dal member Bhimshankar of Solapur,Maharashtra,who was assigned the task of manning the gates.
In contrast,a Uttar Pradesh leader stood a few steps away — lamenting the lack of lackeys around him. “Party ke chances badhao,chamche apne aap aa jayenge,” a senior advised him.
Inside the hall,a Rabindranath Tagore-lookalike broke into a frenzied rendition of a composition that the bard had written and sung during the second Congress session at Calcutta in 1886.
The party has come a long way,indeed.
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