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Journalism of Courage
The first round of electioneering is over and, with it, a cherished illusion among many that the dynasty was dead and that, henceforth, real issues of real relevance would drive the polls. Just at this point, and indeed since she set foot on the campaign trail, there is little doubt that Sonia Gandhi is the issue of Election 1998. Not only that, apart from being responsible for the election degenerating into a debate about whether or not a naturalized citizen can be prime minister, she is also setting the agenda for the polls and after 8212; whether on the Bofors investigation or forcing the BJP into some nimble footwork on the Mandir issue. That she has run away with the ball is apparent from the BJP8217;s latest challenge to Sonia to a debate. It is apparent in the yelps produced by her throwing down the gauntlet on Bofors and the apologies by her and her party for misdeeds ranging from Operation Bluestar to the Babri Masjid demolition.
In that they came to this election devoid of an agenda meaningful enough anda campaign attractive enough to capture the popular imagination, devoid of clear priorities or even catchy slogans, her political rivals have only themselves to blame. In that sense, there is no need to credit Sonia Gandhi overmuch with mystique to explain why she became the issue: mere popular appeal will suffice. There was a programmatic vacuum in these elections, and the dominance of one personality. Sonia Gandhi stepped into the vacuum and provided the other pole, finally bringing life to a soporofic election. It does, after all, take at least two personalities 8212; and, preferably, two programmes 8212; to invigorate a campaign. As it happens, the other personality in these elections 8212; A.B. Vajpayee 8212; has not had the benefit of purdah politics, is not associated with the dynasty, and has had the decency to respect the democratic process in all its aspects. He has been in the fray for as long as voters can remember, and familiarity does breed boredom. So Sonia begins with an unfair advantage. For all that,she could yet prove only to have curiosity value. Bal Thackeray may have put it crudely, but he may be right: quot;She is a new model and people just want to see her.quot;
