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Journalism of Courage
Some would say things haven8217;t looked better for the Congress in a long time. Fresh from its comprehensive rout in the recent assembly elections, the BJP is mired in the mess in Gujarat. Though the party has finally resolved at Goa to back Narendra Modi in one voice, the political pay-off is yet to be seen. But one thing is certain. The statements from Goa will spark more commotion between the BJP and its allies in the NDA. They will sharpen the dilemma Gujarat poses for at least some of them and provoke more frantic positioning games on their part, or something more drastic perhaps. Factor in the continuing turmoil over the Budget in the NDA, and the picture is clearly gloomy for the ruling alliance at the Centre. In this situation, the Congress would appear to be enviably placed. Then why is it that even as the BJP-led alliance grows more inchoate, the main Opposition party continues to look inarticulate as well, uninspired and uninspiring? Why does the Congress show little signs of being willing or able to seize the political initiative, much less the government?
Though Sonia Gandhi8217;s party acquitted itself commendably in the recent assembly elections, and though it now has governments in as many as 14 states, the fact remains the NDA has only itself to blame for its present troubles 8212; its opposition can decidedly claim none of the credit. Despite the impressive array of states in its kitty, the Congress remains unable to mount a credible challenge at the Centre. The party is a mere bystander to the farce and the spectacle of NDA; it passively awaits the denouement. Gujarat is the latest case in point. By all accounts, there has been no evidence so far of the Congress8217; rousing itself to seize the moment of the BJP-led government8217;s embarrassment. The main opposition party is yet to direct its state unit in Gujarat to undertake a concerted campaign in the ravaged state. Its workers are yet to come out in the streets to take up the task Modi8217;s government won8217;t perform 8212; of healing the wounds, of rebuilding the trust. Of course, the inertia vis a vis Gujarat is only a symptom. The Congress is still to clearly define its position on crucial questions. Sonia8217;s party is still undecided, for instance, on coalitions. Can it make peace enough with other parties at the Centre to cobble an alternative to the Vajpayee government? Is the reclusive high command willing to step out and negotiate, to conquer?
